Pictured: Grandmother, 87, killed when she was ‘blown over by downdraft of Coastguard helicopter’
Pictured: Grandmother, 87, killed when she was ‘blown over by downdraft of HM Coastguard helicopter landing on hospital helipad’ on her way to appointment
Jean Langan, 87, failed to regain her consciousness after ‘landing on concrete’Gael Hill was accompanying her aunt and said they were in car park at the timeShe has since paid tribute to ‘loving mother of one son and four grandchildren’ Incident is being investigated by police and Air Accidents Investigation Branch
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The family of a grandmother who was ‘blown over by the downdraft of a coastguard helicopter landing on a helipad’ at a Plymouth hospital have paid tribute to her today.
Jean Langan, 87, passed away after ‘landing on concrete’ and never regaining consciousness at Derriford Hospital on Friday, said her niece.
Gael Hill was accompanying her aunt and they were both walking across the car park at the time.
She wrote: ‘My aunt was unconscious when I got to her and sadly she never regained consciousness.
‘The downdraft from the helicopter lifted my aunt off of her feet and she flew backwards landing on the concrete.
‘There were no signs, marshals or cones preventing people from walking across the car park.’
A police statement released last night said a local woman in her 80s had died and one person was treated in hospital for their injuries.
It added: ‘An initial investigation is being conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police assisted by a number of partner agencies.’
Ms Hill, who lived with her aunt for more than a decade, reportedly had ‘various aches and pains’ this morning but was not seriously injured.
Jean Langan (pictured above), 87, passed away after ‘landing on concrete’ and never regaining consciousness at Derriford Hospital on Friday, said her niece
A police statement last night said a local woman in her 80s had died and one person was treated for their injuries (Air Accidents Investigation Branch car pictured at the scene)
The force said: ‘An initial investigation is being conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police assisted by a number of partner agencies’ (file photo of HM Coastguard helicopter)
She told The Sun: ‘Despite her age, Jean was very physically active, she would walk for miles, she liked to keep busy.
‘She was a loving mother of one son and four grandchildren, who she cherished.’
Ms Langan’s great-nephew, Michael Hill, added: ‘I’m just shocked. We want the hospital and the coast guard to be held accountable.’
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) earlier told the BBC the helicopter was flying a patient to the hospital when ‘there was an incident’ as it landed.
She added: ‘Our thoughts are with all those affected by today’s incident.’
The incident is also being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Devon and Cornwall Police said on Twitter: ‘One person has died and another remains in hospital following an incident that has taken place today on the grounds of Derriford Hospital, involving a HM Coastguard helicopter.
‘An initial investigation is being conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police.’
In a statement, the force added: ‘Devon and Cornwall Police have been notified of an incident that has taken place today (Friday 4 March) on the grounds of Derriford Hospital.
One person remains in hospital while the second person who was injured in the incident, a local woman in her 80s, has died. Pictured: Air Accidents Investigation Branch car at the scene
A woman in her 80s has died after a coastguard helicopter blew her off her feet in a downdraft while landing at a Derriford hospital (pictured), according to a relative
‘It is believed that two members of the public were injured as a HM Coastguard helicopter was landing at the helipad at Derriford.
‘One person is being treated for their injuries and remains in hospital.
‘The second injured person, a local woman in her 80’s, has since died; their next of kin have been made aware.
‘An initial investigating is being conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police assisted by a number of partner agencies.’
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the helicopter was flying a patient to the hospital when ‘there was an incident’ as it landed. Pictured: A Sea King helicopter landing at the Derriford Hospital helipad in 2015
A Department for Transport spokesperson said it would be ‘inappropriate to comment while the incident is being investigated’. Pictured: AAIB car at scene
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to those affected by the incident at Derriford Hospital.
‘It would be inappropriate to comment while the incident is investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.’
A spokeswoman for the MCA said it would be inappropriate to comment further while the incident is being investigated.
MailOnline has contacted the police for further comment.
