Four killed in helicopter crash in Cumbria

LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) A civilian helicopter has crashed in northern England killing four people, emergency services said today.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the helicopter took off from Carnforth, Lancashire, yesterday night bound for Lockerbie in Scotland.

The wreckage was found today at a farm in Cumbria, close to the M6 motorway.

''The coastguard unit arrived on scene at the same time as ambulance personnel and were able to provide off-road access and communicate effectively with the rescue helicopter which was on scene within 10 minutes of the crash site being located,'' said Liverpool's Coastguard Maritime Co-ordination Centre.

An air accident team was travelling to Cumbria to investigate the crash.

REUTERS PY HS1819