The dead and missing.
We have received a number of enquiries from members seeking information about the Miller crash and moreover details of those who were on the flight. To try and dispel rumour and address the anxiety that many of you are obviously feeling, we set out below the details of our fellow workers caught up in the tragedy.
Brian Barkley age 30 Aberdeen KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
James Costello age 24 Aberdeen Contracted to PSN (Production Services Network)
Alex Dallas age 62 Aberdeen Sparrows Offshore Services Ltd
Raymond Doyle age 57 Cumbernauld KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
James John Edwards age 33 Liverpool KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Vernon John Elrick age 41 Aberdeen KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Nairn Ferrier age 40 Dundee KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Nolan Carl Goble age 34 Norwich KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Gareth Hughes age 53 Angus KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Warren Mitchell age 38 Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire Weatherford UK Limited
David Rae age 63 Dumfries KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Leslie Taylor age 41 Kintore, Aberdeenshire KCA Deutag Drilling Limited
Stuart Wood age 27 Aberdeen Expro North Sea Ltd
Richard Menzies (Co-pilot) age 24 Drotwich Spa Bond Offshore Helicopters
Paul Burnham (Captain) age 31 Methlick, Bond Offshore Helicopters
(Police have yet to name the final passenger whom we believe to be a Latvian national)
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of all our colleagues.
As to what actually happened with the aircraft; at this point we are not in a position to say and it would be inappropriate to speculate. What we do know is - whatever happened was catastrophic and happened very quickly. We will now have to wait for the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) to carry out a detailed analysis of the fuselage after it has been recovered, as this is where the answers lie.
In the meantime, we have suggested the particular model of Puma involved in this tragedy be removed from service until the AAIB findings are released. There are three types of Puma in service; the AS332L/L1; the AS332L2 (which is the type involved in this tragedy) and the Eurocopter EC225LP (which is the type involved in the ETAP ‘ditching’ on February 18th).
We would also like to reassure members who feel unable to fly because of recent events, that we will support you in any way we can. Contact us on 01224 210118 if you want to discuss your concerns and we will assist you in airing these concerns with your respective employer. We have already been given assurances from employers and employers associations that each case will be considered fully and time allowed for counseling and or support.
ENDS.