Inquiry continues into Armagh helicopter crash
An investigation was continuing today after an RAF helicopter crashed in Co Armagh, injuring seven people.
Five soldiers and two civilians were hurt when the Puma helicopter with nine people on board suddenly went down yesterday morning in south Armagh near the village of Jonesborough close to the border.
Six of the injured were airlifted to the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry while the seventh was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Down.
The two most seriously injured - a soldier and a civilian - were later transferred to a specialist unit in Belfast.
Two of the nine on board did not require hospital treatment.
A British Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Two of the injured are currently listed as seriously ill and our thoughts go out to them at this time."
He said there was no question of any terrorist involvement in the crash.
He added a board of inquiry would begin investigating the crash this morning.
The helicopter, based at RAF Aldergrove, was on a routine flight between security force bases in the south Armagh area when the accident occurred near Slieve Gullion.
According to local people, the helicopter crashed as it was approaching the watchtower at Foughill Mountain. As it went into a spin, the tail and main propeller broke off.
PA