All 18 people aboard a helicopter which ditched in the North Sea have survived and have been rescued from two life-rafts, the coastguard has said.
The Super Puma came down near a BP oil platform in the ETAP field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. The alarm was raised at about 1840 GMT.
Three were rescued by a Bond company helicopter and have arrived at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after being airlifted.
The other 15 are being brought back to Aberdeen by fast rescue vessel.
This vessel is expected to arrive on the mainland at 0500 GMT on Thursday morning.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some people had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
eople on board the installation, operated by BP, saw the incident unfold, and raised the alarm with the coastguard.
There were initial reports of lifejacket lights being seen in the water, and signals being picked up from personal locator beacons, which are attached to lifejackets.
Three flares were also reported to have been seen from the platform, and parts of helicopter fuselage were seen on the surface.
Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. A Nimrod from RAF Kinloss was also scrambled.
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