Police name the four people who died after a helicopter suffers a “catastrophic” loss of power over the Shetland Islands.
Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin; 59-year-old Gary McCrossan, from Inverness and George Allison, 57, from Winchester died following the incident.
The Super Puma L2 aircraft went down at 6.20pm on Friday evening, around two miles west of Sumburgh airport on Shetland as it was returning to the island from the Borgsten Dolphin platform.
The aircraft was carrying 16 workers and two crew members at the time of the incident, in which it was believed to have experienced a “catastrophic” loss of power.
Fourteen people were taken to safety during the immediate rescue response.
Police Scotland confirmed that the bodies of three people have been recovered and work is under way to recover the body of the fourth person.
Fourteen people were taken to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, Shetland, for treatment, including the two crew members, officers said.
Five were discharged and nine detained overnight for observation or because they were suffering from exposure.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “Our sympathies are very much with the families of those affected at this difficult time. All families have been informed and specially-trained family liaison officers are currently providing them with support.
“This incident has resulted in a large-scale response from a number of different agencies who have worked closely together to deliver a swift rescue operation.
“We have been able to deploy a number of officers with specialist disciplines from across Police Scotland to assist with the operation.
“We will now be carrying out an investigation to establish the circumstances in due course.”