The emergency services were called at 7.30 yesterday evening following reports that the civilian aircraft had come down near the stately home of Lord Ballyedmond, also known as Dr Edward Haughey, in Gillingham, near Beccles. The helicopter was understood to be on its way to Northern Ireland.
A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said: ‘It's a civilian helicopter, and there were four occupants on board who are all thought to have died in the crash.’
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Four people were killed in a civilian helicopter crash in Gillingham, near Beccles, Norfolk
The house, which dates back to the 17th century, is set in 55 acres of grounds and is known to have a helipad. Dr Haughey, who is married with three children, is said to regularly fly in and out of the property.Lord Balleyedmond, 70, is a Northern Ireland businessman, who owns Haughey Air Ltd, with an estimated personal wealth of £500m. He is believed to be the richest man in Northern Ireland.
Newspapers in Norfolk and Northern Ireland are reporting that it is understood Lord Ballyedmond was one of the four on board.
The Gillingham estate was founded by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper to the Queens Great Seal in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The present house was built by his son, the first baronet of Gillingham, in the early 1600s.
It stayed in the family until it was sold in 2000. To an Arab who uses the land and its 18th Century stables to breed rare Arabian horses.
Dr Haughey's family trust is thought to have bought the hall after it was put on the market in 2005 for £2.25m.
The crash took place near to Gillingham Hall (pictured), which is owned by Lord Ballyedmond, also known as Dr Edward Haughey
The Eastern Daily Press is reporting it is understood Lord Ballyedmond was one of the four on board
BRITISH LIFE PEER SINCE 2004
Dr Edward Haughey headed the veterinary pharmaceutical company Norbrook Laboratories which he founded in 1968.
The company employs 1,300 people worldwide including 1,000 in Northern Ireland
He is also believed to have owned Ballyedmond Castle in Rostrevor, Corby Castle in Cumbria, and a six-storey townhouse Belgrave Square, London, which was bought for about £12m in 2006.
Dr Haughey also sat in the Irish Senate and was a member of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body since 1997.
He was made a British life peer in 2004, Haughey as Baron Ballyedmond of Mourne in the County of Down and sat in the British House of Lords on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, before switching to the Conservatives.
The company employs 1,300 people worldwide including 1,000 in Northern Ireland
He is also believed to have owned Ballyedmond Castle in Rostrevor, Corby Castle in Cumbria, and a six-storey townhouse Belgrave Square, London, which was bought for about £12m in 2006.
Dr Haughey also sat in the Irish Senate and was a member of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body since 1997.
He was made a British life peer in 2004, Haughey as Baron Ballyedmond of Mourne in the County of Down and sat in the British House of Lords on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, before switching to the Conservatives.
'Ambulance resources have now been stood down from the scene. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives tonight.’
Two ambulance officers, three ambulances, two doctors and one rapid response car attended the scene.
Eyewitness Michael Tabby described how he joined the search after hearing ‘a loud bang’ and an engine subsiding.
He said: ‘I was outside McDonald's with my friend when we heard a helicopter coming in quite low.
‘It sounded like it was in difficulty and was trying to land opposite where there is private helicopter landing pad.
‘It sounded as though it then tried to climb and crossed the road in the direction of Norwich and then there was loud bang followed by the sound of jet engine winding down.
‘My friend called the police and we tried searching the fields opposite with two other men but we could not find anything.’
Roland Bronk, owner of The Swan House inn and restaurant in Beccles, said it was ‘very foggy’ in the area.
Mr Bronk said he heard customers talk about ‘a lot of police activity and ambulances’.
Taxi driver Mark Murray, 22, from Beccles, said: ‘There is a large stately home nearby and you often see helicopters coming and going from there.
‘When they have a game shoot the guests often all arrive in separate helicopters. We don't know if that is linked, but that's the only helicopter activity we see in this area.’
The crash is believed to have involved an AugustaWestland 139 similar to this one (stock picture)
Norfolk Police said: 'The helicopter has been confirmed as a civilian aircraft and the four occupants on board are thought to have died in the crash'
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