Former HEMS pilot dies in London crash
On 16 January, a helicopter flying over central London, UK, collided with a crane on top of a building alongside the Thames at around 08:00 hrs. The pilot, Captain Pete Barnes, was the only person onboard the aircraft; he died in the accident, along with one person who was on the ground at the time of the crash. Although the aircraft that crashed was operating as part of a passenger charter service, Barnes formerly flew for the police and air ambulance charities, including the Great North Air Ambulance and The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS), over a career of more than two decades as a helicopter pilot.
On 16 January, a helicopter flying over central London, UK, collided with a crane on top of a building alongside the Thames at around 08:00 hrs. The pilot, Captain Pete Barnes, was the only person onboard the aircraft; he died in the accident, along with one person who was on the ground at the time of the crash.
Although the aircraft that crashed was operating as part of a passenger charter service, Barnes formerly flew for the police and air ambulance charities, including the Great North Air Ambulance and The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS), over a career of more than two decades as a helicopter pilot.
In a statement released on the day of the accident, TAAS said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Pete Barnes was killed in the helicopter accident in London this morning. Pete had worked with us for many years and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and with all the families affected by this tragedy.”
According to reports, the helicopter had been en route to pick up a passenger in Hertfordshire, but was diverting to Battersea heliport due to fog.