Survivors of the 2013 Sumburgh Super Puma Helicopter crash in which four offshore workers lost their lives are set to launch damage claims of over £5 million

The lives of four offshore workers where tragically lost on Friday the 23rd of August 2013 when a loss of airspeed caused the Super Puma AS332 L2 to plunge into the sea 2 miles off the coast of Shetland

The CHC helicopter which was making a return flight from the Borgsten Dolphin platform operated by Total dramatically lost airspeed before the incident plunging the helicopter and all on board into the sea

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) initial findings into the incident revealed the cause of the crash may have been human error as neither the pilot nor co-pilot noticed a significant drop in speed as the helicopter approached Sumburgh airport.

A full report of the AAIB’s findings has yet to be released

Nine of the surviving passengers involved in the crash have now launched legal action against CHC Helicopters, claiming that their lives have been ‘destroyed’ by the incident

Law firm, Digby Brown of Aberdeen have been chosen to represent the group with their claim against CHC. Lisa Gregory a partner of the firm commented: “It has been the most horrific experience and we can’t imagine how it is going to affect them for the rest of their lives.

“For justice to be done, they have to be compensated for all of the emotional, physical and financial losses they have suffered.

These men were just going to work when their lives and the lives of their families were destroyed by this crash.”

Mrs Gregory continued, adding that the crash had impacted heavily on the lives of her clients, and claimed they had all been diagnosed with various forms of psychological trauma.

She said: “Anybody involved in this sort of incident can develop long-term psychological trauma which can affect the types of job they can do in the future.

Talking generally, being involved in this type of incident is bound to have an effect on day-to-day activities and relationships. That is the very nature of psychological trauma.”

CHC Helicopter have now been asked if they intend to defend the claim against them.

Separate insurance claims have been lodged against CHC by those involved in the crash

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

“For those that have brought claims, the process of assessing and quantifying them has been a difficult one for all involved, but considerable progress has been made and a large number of claims have already been resolved.

“Regrettably, a few claims remain unresolved as the insurer awaits the results of professional assessments, such as medical exams.

“Whilst this is disappointing, CHC and its insurers are keen to receive these assessments so the process can move forward and these few outstanding claims can be resolved.

“In the meantime, a significant sum of money – now in excess of £500,000 – has already been paid on an interim basis and to alleviate any potential hardship.

“It is the company’s sincere desire to resolve the remaining outstanding claims as quickly as possible.”

Mrs Gregory of Digby Brown added that some claims had been difficult to assess and quantify but there had been no delay in getting medical reports.

She added: “We have to give the clients time to have their treatment and recuperate fully, or at least as best they can.

“No one can dictate how long that process might take. Until then, many of them are totally dependent upon the financial support they have had from CHC.

“Without that support, they are left unable to support themselves and the financial pressures and hardship only serve to add to the trauma and the anxiety.”

One survivor of the crash said, “I’ve been off 22 months with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder – I keep having flashbacks.

There’s no procedure in place for the after care of the survivors.

I’m three weeks behind on my rent. We’re in the red every month. My credit rating is ruined.

They have to put in place a procedure so the next people to find themselves in this situation are not struggling like we are.”

The incident claimed the lives of Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin; Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness; George Allison, 57, from Winchester; and Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland.

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