Oh my God, Helicopter has hit a crane

[RabidCarrot]

In Vauxhull

Thoughts with the family's of all involved

It looks horrific. The jet fuel fire is crazy and the fire brigade are everywhere. I don't think the cars involved knew anything about it before it hit... I did think the helicopter seemed low going across.

I really hope everyone involved is okay. My thoughts are with everyone.

Wandsworth Road, opposite MI6 building, close to Covent garden flower market. All trains in and out of Waterloo cancelled.
Avoid area if possible.

Thoughts and prayers for all involved.

Just saw the news now. Someone Twitted that the crane was atop a building called St George's Tower. My thoughts are also with all involved in this.

Hideous. Am watching the news and there is footage of bikes down on the road and what seems to be people running towards and past the flames, amazed at that bravery.

That fire looks so fierce. Can't believe how close some of the people are.

The fire is now reported as extinguished, and trains are running.

The crane is adjacent to Nine Elms Road (the big tower under construction at St Georges Wharf), but wreckage seems to have come down on Wandsworth Road too (that's where pix showed the earlier fire).

Area evacuated, and roads closed.

Both Met police and air ambulance have confirmed it's not one of theirs gone down. Looks to be a private helicopter flight from Battersea helipad. Extensive road closures & traffic diversions confirmed, Vauxhall Station closed, all train services into/out of Waterloo suspended & services into Victoria & London Bridge starting to be affected. Photos appearing on Twitter look bad. Don't think anyone on board could possibly have survived.

Thanks for update Meditrina, my information was from Radio 4 news, so not being updated.

My sister used to live near there.

Waterloo & City line just closed.

The fire isn't out. There are at least three cars on fire (all appear to be empty, thank god) and there are regular explosions.

Trains are running but it's all being evacuated.

Apparently one person on board. It's manic here though. A bad time to be in Londo, quite lost and on your own.

Trains are getting through - BBC reporter at scene saying he can see them running. Train companies saying 'delays, some major, likely all day'.

Slightly more encouragingly, same reporter saying he's seen specialist reduce equipment arrive. No word on casualties, though, on either road or building site.

Trains are running but not stopping at vauxhall. Fire brigade also dealing with crane that was hit as it is now unsafe.

It's gridlocked the area around there, poor crane driver, I hope he hadn't clocked on yet. :(

Must have been terrifying to be in the traffi below & not be able to get away or help others.

Thoughts to all concerned.

"reduce" should read 'rescue'

I was quoting the eyewitness on BBC1 when I said fire was out.

Reports one on board the helicopter

Caja -where are you, and are you OK? Are you being evacuated?

caja thanks for reporting from the site.

Good to keep traffic news updated to help some people change their plans and avoid the gridlock, if possible & necessary.

I was just listening to LBC, a construction worker who was waiting to go into work said, apparantly, the crane driver was late for work today... so no one was on site yet.
Thank the heavens for that

Is it thought to be a terror attack?

Shocking scenes.

No Fog, nothing like that has been mentioned. The thought did go through my mind though but there is no suggestion of it at all.

No, not a terrorist attack. Just freezing fog and a helicopter pilot flying too low.

Saw this just as I was leaving home to take DC to school. Scary seeing it on tv. Thoughts go to those involved.

Police on bbc said terror attack unlikely.

That's quite close to St Thomas' isn't it?