Horse racing owner and racecourse founder Dai Walters is reported to be one of the people injured when a helicopter crashed into woodland. Mr Walters and trainer Sam Thomas were two of the four people reportedly involved in the crash near Ruthin in Denbighshire on Tuesday, according to Sky Sports Racing.
It is being reported that former coal mine labourer Walters, who built the Ffos Las racecourse through his company Walters Group, reportedly has more serious injuries than the others following the incident which saw four people taken to hospital and a large emergence service presence called.
Police, firefighters and the ambulance service were all called to the Llanelidan area just after 5pm on Tuesday November 1 after the crash. Officers have confirmed that all people onboard have been accounted for, and that four people have been taken to hospital. North Wales Police said there had been no fatalities.
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Sky Sports Racing's Luke Harvey said: "Two of the injured were Dai Walkers and Welsh Grand National winning trainer Sam Thomas. Four people sustained minor injuries and are back home including Sam Thomas. Dai Walters had worse injuries but he is conscious and is being assessed in hospital."
Resident Huw Howatson, who saw the helicopter crash, told BBC Wales it was "horrible" sight. "I watched it happen and I was filming the helicopter. I could see it was in trouble and it hit some trees and I had to get out the way," he said.
"A piece of propeller came away. We had to scarper because there was lots of debris, it was just flying everywhere - it was like a movie."
A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman has confirmed they had six fire appliances at the scene. The The Air Accidents Investigation Branch [AAIB] have confirmed they have launched an enquiry into the crash.
A spokesperson for the AAIB said: “An accident near Ruthin, North Wales involving a helicopter has been notified to the AAIB. An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are at the accident site.”
A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “We were called at 5.36pm to reports of a helicopter crash in woodland near Llanelidan, Ruthin. Whilst a multiple agency response remains at the scene, the ongoing investigation into the cause will be dealt with by the Civil Aviation Authority.”
Force chief inspector David Cust added: “Officers attended alongside colleagues from Welsh Ambulance and North Wales Fire & Rescue as part of a joint emergency response. All the occupants have been accounted for, with four people having been taken to hospitals across the area. None of the injuries are thought to be life threatening or life changing at this time.”
This is everything we know about the incident so far:
Who is involved?
Owner Dai Walters and trainer Sam Thomas were involved in a helicopter accident on Tuesday evening, according to Sky Sports Racing.
Walters, who was one of five people involved in the accident, four of whom were taken to hospital, has reportedly suffered more serious injuries than the other passengers but is conscious and being assessed in hospital.
When did the crash happen?
North Wales Police confirmed they were called at 5;36pm on Tuesday, November 1. Emergency services assisted at the scene for several hours, the ambulance service had left before 8pm.
Were there any injuries?
Four people were taken to hospital after the crash. The extent of their injuries have not been confirmed however it is not thought to be life-threatening.
Ch Insp David Cust said none of them was believed to have suffered injuries that were either life threatening or life changing.
Which emergency services attended?
Police, firefighters and the ambulance service were all in attendance at the incident. The S29 Coastguard Helicopter was reported to have been circling the area, however it is not clear whether this was linked.
A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman has confirmed they had six fire appliances at the scene. There were four engines from Deeside, Bala, Corwen and Ruthin, alongside a narrow access vehicle from Denbigh and a technical rescue unit from Wrexham.
They mainly assisted with checking casualties were okay at the scene.
Will there be an investigation?
North Wales Police have said that their involvement with the incident has now come to an end but an investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau is set to begin.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch [AAIB] have confirmed they have launched an enquiry into the incident, which saw a large emergency response. A spokesperson for the AAIB said: “An accident near Ruthin, North Wales involving a helicopter has been notified to the AAIB.
"An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are at the accident site.”
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