A couple have been killed in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight while taking a flying lesson that was meant to be a birthday present. Justyna Czoska and Wojtek Kowalkowski died alongside a third passenger when their aircraft was seen "spiralling" toward the ground near Shanklin on Monday morning.
The victims have been named by Ms Czoska's devastated daughter, Julia Buzar, who revealed the flight was a birthday gift for her stepfather. According to the Daily Mail, the family had "chipped in" to pay for the flying lesson as a special present for Kowalkowski.
Family's devastation
Ms Buzar wrote on Facebook: "I have no words the world took my mum too soon, she was the best mum you could ask for, loved by everyone. I never thought I'd be writing something like this."
The daughter has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring the couple's bodies back to their native Poland. Her husband Jacob Butler wrote: "This sudden and devastating event has left all us heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss. We are now trying to bring them both back to Poland so they can be laid to rest with their families."
The fundraising page has raised more than £700 through dozens of donations. Metro reports that Czoska was 52 and Kowalkowski was 49, with the Daily Mail stating she worked as a horse riding instructor while he was a lorry driver.
Investigation continues
A fourth person remains in hospital in a serious condition following the crash, which is now being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The Mirror reports that only 27 seconds elapsed from when the helicopter encountered problems to ground impact, after reaching an altitude of 800 feet.
The aircraft was a Robinson R44 II helicopter operated by Northumbria Helicopters, which departed from Sandown Airport at around 9am with four people including the pilot. The company confirmed the flight was a flying lesson.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "We can confirm that three people have died following a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight. Four people in total were on board, with one person currently in hospital in a serious condition."
Sources used: "Independent", "Metro", "Daily Mail", "Mirror", "Sky News", "Express", "Daily Star", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
