The head of the oil and gas industry body said last night news of another helicopter crash was troubling.
Oil and Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb said last night: “We are deeply concerned by the news of the latest ditching of an industry helicopter.
“We are thinking first and foremost of the passengers and crew involved in this incident and of their families and friends; and in particular those of the three people who are still unaccounted for.
“All offshore helicopter pilots undergo extensive training to prepare them for emergency situations and all passengers undergo regular helicopter evacuation training. This incident serves to emphasise the critical importance of such preparation.
“Helicopter safety remains a focus for the oil and gas industry, with the Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) now an established part of the Step Change in Safety organisation. Oil and Gas UK awaits more information on this incident and, through the HSSG, will ensure any learning from this is shared across the industry.”
The Unite union’s Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said last night: “The early news filtering through of this evening’s helicopter ditching off the coast of Shetland carrying a reported 18 people is deeply concerning.
“Our immediate thoughts are with those people and their families and we can only hope for good news, although, as time goes on, the situation becomes more worrying.”
Last night, the Right Rev Lorna Hood, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the Super Puma helicopter crash, especially those awaiting news of their loved ones.”
And the Right Rev Dr Robert Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, who had been in contact with the Scottish Episcopal priest at Lerwick, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the helicopter crash and in the rescue operation.
“Our priest in Lerwick is keeping me informed of news as it develops and we will be in touch with any- one we know in the area who might have been affected by this incident.”
Shetland North councillor Alastair Cooper said: “My thoughts are with the families of those involved in the incident. I hope that everyone is rescued and we get to the bottom of all these helicopter incidents.
“I would like to see a much safer regime for men going offshore in helicopters. We need these men to go offshore to man the rigs and make sure they remain in a safe environment.”
Mr Cooper said he wanted offshore workers to be transported on fixed- wing aircraft as far as possible as he believed this was the safest option.
First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed last night that the Scottish Government emergency committee (SGoRR) was in operation following the incident.
He said: “Our thoughts are with families and loved ones of all the crew and passengers and the teams involved in the rescue effort off Shetland. We remain closely in touch with all the agencies working on the rescue and the (SGoRR) is in operation.”
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