Four die as helicopter crashes

The wreckage was found by a local farmer in a field near Gatebeck, Kendal, at lunchtime on Saturday.

The aircraft set off from Carnforth, Lancashire, at about 7pm on Friday and was en route to Lochmaben, near Lockerbie, in Scotland.

Police said the helicopter had been reported missing.

An inquiry is under way into the cause of the accident with members of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) heading to the scene.

Firefighters from Kendal and Milnthorpe set up a cordon around the wreckage near Sillfield Farm.

Two of the bodies were said to have been inside the helicopter, while the other two were on the ground.

Details of the deceased have yet to be released with next of kin to be informed.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "We appeal to anyone with information about the incident to contact police on 0845 3300247."

A spokeswoman for the AAIB confirmed a team had been sent to the accident site to begin the crash investigation.