Investigation into helicopter crash

The helicopter crashed on the side of a hill

Investigators have begun examining wreckage of a Royal Air Force Puma helicopter which crashed onto a mountainside in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Five soldiers and two civilians were injured, two of them seriously, when the helicopter was forced to land on the side of a hill at Slieve Gullion near Jonesborough in south Armagh at 1035 GMT on Saturday.

Two people are still seriously ill in hospital.

There had been three crew members and six passengers on board.

A team of investigators are searching the wreckage and the surrounding area.

Three of the seven people taken to hospital after the incident have now been discharged.

The cabin of the helcopter landed on its side

The helicopter, based at RAF Aldergrove in County Antrim, had been on a routine flight between security force bases in south Armagh.

RAF Squadron Leader of the Joint Helicopter Force in Northern Ireland, David Breese, said terrorist involvement had been ruled out but pledged a thorough investigation.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter seemed to lose control and spiralled to the ground about 150 yards short of the watchtower.

Sinn Fein councillor Packie McDonald, who witnessed the crash, said: "The pilot tried to control it for a while but shortly after it just crashed on the side of the mountain about 150 yards from the look-out post."

Local resident Declan Fearon, who was one of the first people to reach the crash site, said: "The debris is spread over a large area.

Toni Carragher: "These flights are a clear danger"

"I passed the propeller on the way up the hill and when I got to the helicopter I saw the tail had broken off."

Some people were trapped in the helicopter's wreckage for more than two hours.

Army helicopters were used to transport emergency rescue teams to the crash site.

Casualties were first treated at Daisy Hill hospital in nearby Newry for trauma injuries including spinal injuries, multiple fractures and chest injuries.

Meanwhile, Toni Carragher from the South Armagh Farmers' and Residents Committee said all RAF helicopters should be grounded, following the crash.

Her group has been campaigning against the number of RAF helicopter flights in the area.

Speaking to BBC News Online she said: "We are now calling for a complete cessation of all British Army helicopter flights.

"This Puma helicopter could have landed on homes and there could have been a major loss of life.

"The British Army called this a forced landing, which is what they always call them.

"If some of our group were not able to go up to the crash site and take photographs we believe there would have been a cover-up."