@ginger_tosser @CloudyMrs
1/
I’d just landed on the Brent Delta off a Chinook when we heard about the Chinook crash near Sumburgh. We all rushed to phone home. My wife was out in the car a heard news on radio, had to pull over unable to drive for a bit. I managed to phone neighbour who’d also heard news. She didn’t manage to catch my wife when she arrived home. Phoning office, person answering said they’d have to go thru list of names. Wife told them I was going offshore, not returning.
@ginger_tosser @CloudyMrs
2/
I’d not long transferred from Brent Charlie to Delta, knew majority of casualties, some very well.
Boss got me off to attend funerals.
What got to me most was the children of deceased attending, weeping uncontrollably.
After attending 7 funerals in just over a week I couldn’t take any more.
@Clutha @ginger_tosser awful memories. Sorry you had that terrible experience.
@CloudyMrs @ginger_tosser
Thank you.
Norwegian oil sector had stopped using Chinook helicopters well before UK.
They were the most uncomfortable aircraft I’ve ever flown in, like sardines tins.
The flight to the Brent field was 3 hours. They told us they could float if they had to land on water. One had to do it due to problems and the water came rushing in, the very skilful pilot managed to ‘drive’ it over to a platform and everyone got off, if a bit wet.