TWO people have died in a crash in Norway involving an air ambulance identical to the police helicopter that crashed into a busy Glasgow pub, killing 10 people.
Helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter has confirmed that the aircraft which crashed at Sollihøgda, west of Oslo, was an EC135, the type that crashed into the roof of the Clutha pub on November 29, last year.
Dr Anders Rostrup Nakstad, 38. from Skedsmo, and pilot Bjørn Nergård, 52 from Ski on a medical rescue helicopter operated by Norsk Luftambulanse, the Norwegian air ambulance service, were killed while on their way to a traffic accident yesterday.
Both victims were said to be among the ambulance service's most experienced personnel.
The lone survivor on board, a 51-year-old rescue worker, was in turn rushed to Ullevål University Hospital in Oslo. He was said to have serious injuries.
"All of our employees are deeply affected by this incident," the ambulance service said on its website.
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg was among those expressing condolences, saying: "This is of course an incredibly sad accident.
"It's very sad when those sent to help others in an emergency situation are themselves subject to an accident."
The cause of the crash remains unclear and an investigation is underway.
Eurocopter said initial evidence gathered from the accident scene indicated that the helicopter "crashed during an approach made in the vicinity of power lines".
A Eurocopter spokesman said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, and the teams on the ground."
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