Super Puma crash survivors launch damages claim

Nine passengers of a helicopter that ditched into the North Sea, killing four of their colleagues, have launched a damages claim that could be worth more than £5 million.

Lisa Gregory, partner at legal firm Digby Brown in Aberdeen, is representing nine of the survivors, who say their lives were “destroyed” when the Super Puma AS332 L2 inexplicably went into the sea west of Shetland.

They are seeking damages from CHC Helicopter, which operated the helicopter for oil company Total.

According to their lawyer, the nine oil workers suffered a range of injuries in the crash as well as undergoing emotional and financial losses.

Ms Gregory said: “These individuals have gone through a horrific experience which has affected them in many ways and will continue to do so.

“They have suffered emotional, physical and financial losses because of something that occurred when they were just going to work. For justice to be done, these men need to be compensated for everything that has happened to them.

“Raising these court actions is the latest step in our work to get access to justice for our clients. We have to give each individual the time they need to receive treatment and recuperate. No-one can dictate how long this process might take.”

CHC Helicopter told the Press and Journal it had already paid over £500,000 in interim insurance payments to those directly affected by the crash.

A spokeswoman added: “Throughout the period of investigation, there has been much work undertaken to provide financial assistance to the families impacted by the accident.”

The company has not indicated whether it intends to defend against the claim.