Army helicopter crashes in Yorkshire

At least eight people have been injured after an army helicopter crashed in North East Yorkshire.

An emergency rescue operation has been launched in the area of Catterick Garrison, with both police and Ministry of Defence officials on the scene.

A MoD spokeswoman said the operation was at a "very early stage".

She added: "A search and rescue operation is underway following reports of a helicopter crash in the Catterick Garrison area."

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said five people had been taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, by RAF Sea King helicopters.

She said two more injured personnel would be taken in another trip by the Sea King, and one casualty had been taken to the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, by road ambulance.

"We have eight confirmed casualties and potentially some more to transfer by road," she said.

She did not have any information about the extent of any injuries.

The ambulance service was called just before 9pm and is still on the scene.

Yorkshire police and crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman were also at the crash scene.

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