Salmond considers crash inquiry

Alex Salmond said it was vital to learn lessons from the crash

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has raised the possibility of a public inquiry into the North Sea helicopter crash.

Police said there was no hope of finding survivors after the Bond Super Puma came down 14 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast on Wednesday.

Mr Salmond's comments came as he was joined by party leaders in paying tribute to those who were killed.

A total of 16 people were on board the helicopter when it came down.

Speaking during a sombre first minister's questions, which focussed on the crash, Mr Salmond said it was necessary to determine what caused the incident and learn lessons.

Those who loose their lives just doing their job are special to us all Iain Gray Scottish Labour leader

"It seems clear to me that an inquiry in public will have to be considered, and this will be a matter to be considered by the law officers and by ministers once the full facts become established," he said.

The first minister went on: "We are all aware of the economic benefits brought by North Sea oil and gas. Millions, indeed billions of pounds.

"But we're equally aware those benefits can come at a dreadful cost in human life. With this latest incident, over 100 crew and passengers have lost their lives in aircraft accidents in the North Sea over the last 30 years."

Mr Salmond said, during that same period, more than 60 million passengers had been carried on the tens of thousands of flights which took place every year.

"Nevertheless, it's our duty as a government and as a parliament, working with the oil and gas industry and its workforce, to learn the lessons of this accident and to do all that's in our power to ensure that safety is the ultimate priority for those working in the North Sea," he said.

"Let that stand as a memorial - the memorial we can give to the lives of those who died so tragically."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said the UK Government should not hesitate from grounding all Super Pumas if they felt it needed to be done.

Tavish Scott raised the issue of Super Pumas being grounded

"The immediate issue is to reassure the men and women who are asked to fly today, tomorrow and next week," he said, adding: "Today, our support is with the emergency services teams - our thoughts, sympathies and our support must be with the loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives.

Iain Gray, the Scottish Labour leader, told MSPs: "Those who lose their lives just doing their job are special to us all, and we remember them each year on workers memorial day.

"Thirty-two workers lost their lives doing their jobs in Scotland last year, so the scale of this tragedy is, indeed, very significant."

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie, added: "For many of us, the petrol in our cars and the heat in our homes are everyday facts of life, and it takes a dreadful accident like this to give us a stark and sharp reminder of just how dangerous the environment is for all those who work in and support the oil and gas industry in the North Sea."

Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy praised the rescue workers involved in the operation and promised that any action necessary to protect safety would be taken.

Speaking at Westminster, he said 14 Air Accident Investigation Branch staff had been deployed to Aberdeen to examine the cause of the crash, and would report as soon as possible.

"The work to identify the causes of the accident began this morning but what appears clear is that there was a catastrophic impact as the helicopter crashed into the sea," he said.

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