29 May 1997 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

Helicopter crashes in Derry

The lives of local people were endangered when a low flying British army helicopter severed a high voltage electric cable near Ivy Terrace in Derry last Thursday 22 May.

The Wessex helicopter later crash landed in a field in the Waterside area. The rear wing of the helicopter caught the wire, dragged it for about 100 yards before it snapped and landed on a house in Ivy Terrace. A two hour blackout affected most of Derry before NIE repaired the line.

Residents have complained on more than one occasion of near misses by British aircraft, complaints that have been ignored by British army commanders.

Newly elected Sinn Féin councillor Marian Hutcheon said the party has consistently called on the British army to stop these low level flights over built up areas.

In a recent incident another British helicopter collided with the roof of a house in the Shantallow area, knocking off tiles.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland