Peer issued a writ last year through his charter business Haughey Air against AgustaWestland in relation to a 'faulty helicopter'
A Northern Ireland peer who was killed after one of his luxury helicopters crashed in thick fog at a small village on the Norfolk-Suffolk border was suing the manufacturer, it has emerged.
Lord Ballyedmond, a businessman better known as Edward Haughey, issued a writ last year through his charter business Haughey Air against AgustaWestland in relation to a "faulty helicopter".
Police confirmed on Friday that the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, which crashed in Gillingham at about 7.30pm on Thursday night, killing all four males on board, had taken off from Gillingham Hall, a stately home owned by Balleyedmond.
Superintendent Dave Marshall from Norfolk police said: "Police, along with our emergency service colleagues and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are now working towards the dignified removal of the four bodies which is expected to take place this afternoon, full examination of the scene and opening roads as quickly as possible."
Next of kin of the victims have been informed but police have not confirmed the identities of the dead.
Forensic officers are helping with attempts to ascertain why the crash happened.
According to Fountain Court Chambers, proceedings against the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland were issued last year in relation to an "alleged contract to repurchase a faulty helicopter", suggesting that Ballyedmond wanted to return it to the manufacturer.
It has not been possible to confirm whether the helicopter that crashed on Thursday was the subject of the writ. Visibility was reported to be poor in the area on Thursday night, but it is not yet known whether fog was a factor in the crash.
A spokesman for AgustaWestland said he was unable to confirm that Haughey Air had issued legal proceedings against it but said the company was doing all it could to assist in the investigation into the crash. "We have sent relevant people from our staff to support the investigation and we will do what we can best do to help the investigation," he said.
Ballyedmond, Northern Ireland's richest person, was head of the leading veterinary pharmaceuticals company Norbrook Laboratories. He served in the House of Lords in Britain and the Seanad in Ireland.
Fellow peer and Conservative party co-chairman Lord Feldman said: "I was incredibly sad to hear the news of the death of Lord Ballyedmond. His career in business was a remarkable success story. He was a great friend to our party, and a loyal and supportive colleague in parliament. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey, who has known the Haughey family for 25 years, said: "This tragic accident has cut short the life of a man who had still much to give."
On Wednesday, a cordon remained in place around the scene of the crash which extended to around 150-250 sq m. A number of roads were closed so that the area could be searched for debris. Reported by guardian.co.uk 7 hours ago.
A Northern Ireland peer who was killed after one of his luxury helicopters crashed in thick fog at a small village on the Norfolk-Suffolk border was suing the manufacturer, it has emerged.
Lord Ballyedmond, a businessman better known as Edward Haughey, issued a writ last year through his charter business Haughey Air against AgustaWestland in relation to a "faulty helicopter".
Police confirmed on Friday that the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, which crashed in Gillingham at about 7.30pm on Thursday night, killing all four males on board, had taken off from Gillingham Hall, a stately home owned by Balleyedmond.
Superintendent Dave Marshall from Norfolk police said: "Police, along with our emergency service colleagues and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are now working towards the dignified removal of the four bodies which is expected to take place this afternoon, full examination of the scene and opening roads as quickly as possible."
Next of kin of the victims have been informed but police have not confirmed the identities of the dead.
Forensic officers are helping with attempts to ascertain why the crash happened.
According to Fountain Court Chambers, proceedings against the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland were issued last year in relation to an "alleged contract to repurchase a faulty helicopter", suggesting that Ballyedmond wanted to return it to the manufacturer.
It has not been possible to confirm whether the helicopter that crashed on Thursday was the subject of the writ. Visibility was reported to be poor in the area on Thursday night, but it is not yet known whether fog was a factor in the crash.
A spokesman for AgustaWestland said he was unable to confirm that Haughey Air had issued legal proceedings against it but said the company was doing all it could to assist in the investigation into the crash. "We have sent relevant people from our staff to support the investigation and we will do what we can best do to help the investigation," he said.
Ballyedmond, Northern Ireland's richest person, was head of the leading veterinary pharmaceuticals company Norbrook Laboratories. He served in the House of Lords in Britain and the Seanad in Ireland.
Fellow peer and Conservative party co-chairman Lord Feldman said: "I was incredibly sad to hear the news of the death of Lord Ballyedmond. His career in business was a remarkable success story. He was a great friend to our party, and a loyal and supportive colleague in parliament. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey, who has known the Haughey family for 25 years, said: "This tragic accident has cut short the life of a man who had still much to give."
On Wednesday, a cordon remained in place around the scene of the crash which extended to around 150-250 sq m. A number of roads were closed so that the area could be searched for debris. Reported by guardian.co.uk 7 hours ago.
