Update on Helicopter crash on UK’s Isle of Wight, one airlifted to hospital

A helicopter has crashed in a field on the Isle of Wight, southern England, early on Monday morning, 25 August, with one person airlifted to hospital.

Emergency services, including the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Coastguard Rescue 175, local police, and firefighters from Newport, Ventnor, and Shanklin, were dispatched to the scene near the A3020 Shanklin Road. The road remains closed, and authorities have urged the public to avoid the area.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance spokesperson said the Critical Care Team, consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic, was deployed to assist at the scene. One patient was treated on-site and transported to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton. No further details about the individual’s condition have been released.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter “spiralling” before it crashed into a hedge. Leigh Goldsmith, who witnessed the incident while driving toward Shanklin, said airbags appeared to have been deployed under the aircraft on impact. The exact number of people on board remains unknown.

Police confirmed they were called at 09:24 BST after reports of the crash and are working alongside emergency services to secure the area. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The Isle of Wight is an island off the south coast of England, near Southampton and Portsmouth, covering 146 square miles (380 sq km) and home to over 140,000 people. The crash site is located near Ventnor, around 2.9 miles from Shanklin.

Officials have said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.