Police statement following incident at Derriford Hospital

Devon and Cornwall Police continue to undertake initial investigations into the circumstances that led to the death of a person on the grounds of Derriford Hospital yesterday.

Detective Inspector Andy Hodges said: “It is currently believed that at around 11:20am on Friday 4 March, a HM Coastguard helicopter was landing at the helipad at Derriford; the helicopter was carrying a casualty linked to a separate job earlier that morning.

“Whilst the helicopter was in the process of landing on the helipad, the down draft caused one member of the public, an 87-year-old woman from the Plymouth area who was on near-by footpath to be blown over.

“She sustained a serious head injury and later died in Derriford Hospital. Her next of kin have been informed and a file is to be prepared for the coroner.

“A second woman, also in their 80’s, was in the car park when it is believed the down draft caused the car door to slam shut whilst she was exiting her vehicle; She has suffered a broken pelvis and remains in hospital in a stable condition.”

DI Hodges continued: “Our role now is to assist with the investigation which is now being led on by the Air Accident Investigations Branch.

“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts go out to all affected by what took place yesterday at Derriford.”

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