Police are investigating a helicopter accident that occurred in Kauttua, Eura, shortly after midday on Saturday. According to current information, five people have died in the accident.
“Five people have died in a helicopter accident near Eura Airport on Saturday,” said Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirilä of the National Bureau of Investigation.
On Saturday, May 17, at 12:35 PM, the police received an emergency call reporting that two helicopters had collided.
The first responders were units from the Rescue Department of Satakunta and patrols from the Southwestern Finland Police Department. Police investigation teams and representatives from the Safety Investigation Authority also arrived quickly at the scene of the accident. The Finnish Defence Forces are assisting the police in isolating the accident site.
The authorities found the helicopters involved in the accident destroyed in a wooded area about 100 metres apart. The accident site is located about 700 metres from the Ohikulkutie road.
The helicopters were flying from Tallinn, Estonia, to Piikajärvi in Kokemäki. Piikajärvi Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres from Eura Airport.
Civil helicopters registered abroad
Both helicopters were destroyed in the collision and crash.
According to flight plans known to the police, there were a total of five people on board the helicopters: two in one and three in the other.
“The Finnish and Estonian authorities are working closely together in response to the accident,“ Siirilä said.
The two helicopters were registered abroad, and the police are investigating their details.
The crash investigation is ongoing
The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the accident and the events leading up to it in cooperation with the Southwestern Finland Police Department.
The accident site has been isolated, and the police are continuing their technical and tactical investigation at the scene. In addition, the Safety Investigation Authority is conducting its own investigation at the site.
The police will hold a media briefing on Sunday at 13:00 PM. More detailed information about the briefing will be sent to the media during the evening.
