A father has been named as the third victim in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight, as tributes pour in for those who died in yesterday’s incident.
Simon Hewitt, 54, from Barton-upon-Humber, Linconshire, died alongside horse riding instructor Justyna Czoska, 52, and lorry driver Wojtek Kowalkowski, 49, both from Banbury, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed today.
The aircraft is said to have ‘spiralled’ and smashed into a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road just before 9.30am on August 25.
Four people, including the pilot, were onboard the helicopter, with a man, in his 30s, being airlifted to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
Emergency services, including police, land ambulance, air ambulance, rushed to the scene which was declared as a major incident by police.
The helicopter had taken off from Sandown Airport at around 9am before crashing around 20 minutes later.
Flight data suggests it climbed to an altitude of about 800 feet before an issue occurred – 27 seconds before it hit the ground.
Mr Hewitt was a company director and trained helicopter pilot, but it was not clear if he was flying the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Hampshire police said it would form part of the investigation and the force was ‘not in a position to confirm this type of detail at the current time’.
His partner and family said in a statement: ‘Simon was the most wonderful, intelligent, kind man and father. He bought so much joy and light into our lives. We are absolutely broken.’
Simon Hewitt, 54, from Barton-upon-Humber, Linconshire was confirmed to have lost his life in the helicopter crash yesterday
Horse riding instructor Justyna Czoska, 52, and lorry driver Wojtek Kowalkowski, 49, also died when the helicopter came down in a field near Ventnor
A police and crime commissioner has shared her ‘deepest condolences’ to the families of three people who died in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight
In an interview last November, Mr Hewitt told how he was a ‘late starter to the world of flying helicopters’, beginning his training aged 40 following a successful corporate career.
He said he ‘loved the challenge and spectacular scenery of flying from Goodwood, along the south coast, and around the Isle of Wight’ and wanted to continue flying as a ‘paying hobby’ so started training to become a commercial pilot.
He told how after a ‘couple of failed attempts to study and pass the exams whilst working’ he took a break from his day job to focus on his exams and passed in March 2021.
Mr Hewitt said he started earning money from flying in April 2021, initially in the North of England flying the R44 and then later in the South in London Heli-Lanes for sight-seeing tourists.
He went on to complete his flight instructor course adding: ‘flying a helicopter is a truly amazing experience.’
In a heartfelt statement Ms Czoska’s family and daughter’s spoke of their heartbreak amid their ‘beautiful and funny’ mother’s death.
‘We are heartbroken to share the passing of our mum, she was beautiful, funny, talkative, optimistic and kind – always wanting to make those around her happy,’ they said.
‘She was our best friend, we miss the sound of her voice, we will miss her forever. The memories with her will last a lifetime.’
Mr Kowalkowski’s family described him as the ‘father of two loving children’ who will ‘be deeply missed’.
Justyna’s daughter added: ‘He always made me happy and always made my mum happy and always made what was a family. He helped and was a heart-filled person.’
The couple from Bloxham, Oxfordshire, had travelled to the island so Mr Kowalkowski could have a flying lesson for his birthday – something he had always dreamed of.
The couple from Bloxham, Oxfordshire, had travelled to the island so Mr Kowalkowski could have a flying lesson – something he had always dreamed of
Justyna Czoska, 52, and lorry driver Wojtek Kowalkowski, 49, right and far right, who were killed. Pictured with Ms Czoska’s daughter Julia who was not on board.
Miss Czoska was described as ‘the best mum you could ask for, loved by everyone’ by her daughter Julia.
Miss Czoska’s daughter Julia Buzar, 22, spoke to her mother just moments before she boarded, but it was only shortly later that police knocked on the door of her mother’s home to tell her the helicopter had crashed.
Miss Buzar said the helicopter ride had been a birthday present to her stepfather Mr Kowalkowski, as he had always wanted to fly in a helicopter.
‘We are heartbroken. It’s really hard as my mum was my only real family. It’s a terrible time,’ she said.
Writing online, Miss Buzar said: ‘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 would be writing something like this. Please if anyone can help bring them back to Poland so they can be with their families it would mean the world to me.’
Miss Buzar’s partner Jacob Butler, who has set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the couple’s bodies to be taken back to their native Poland, said Ms Czoska was ‘an amazing woman’.
‘She was such a great person with a big heart,’ he said. ‘An amazing, kind loving person.’
He said Miss Buzar was ‘devastated’ struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
Emergency calls about the helicopter crash started coming in this morning just after 9.20am. One casualty is currently being treated in hospital after being airlifted to safety
Four individuals, including the pilot, were onboard the small vehicle when it came down near the town of Shanklin on the main road to Newport just before 9.30am (Pictured: police attend the scene)
Mr Butler also revealed the whole family, including Miss Buzar, had ‘chipped in’ so Mr Kowalkowski could have a flying lesson.
Writing on GoFundMe, he added: ‘On August 25th, my partners beloved mum and her partner tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight.
‘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, in the place they called home.
‘The cost of repatriation, funeral arrangements, and travel is more than we can manage alone, and we are asking for support during this incredibly difficult time.
‘Any donation, no matter how small, will help us give them the farewell they deserve. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, support, and for keeping our family in your thoughts.’
Ms Czoska had worked at Turpins Lodge Riding School in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire, since March 2024.
In a statement, the riding school said: ‘Justyna was very well liked at Turpins Lodge by staff and by customers.
At the time of the tragic crash, the pleasure flight was being used for a flying lesson, according to Northumbria Helicopters (Pictured: firefighters attend the incident)
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent were pictured at the scene
‘Justyna was cheerful, reliable and conscientious. She will leave a huge hole to fill. Our thoughts go out to Justyna’s daughters, family and friends.
‘We will endeavour to carry on as normally as possible but there may have to be some changes to lessons while we adapt to this very sad situation.’
The helicopter was today removed from the field on the Isle of Wight which it crashed into.
Images taken on Tuesday afternoon showed a JCB telehandler lifting the aircraft up and onto a lorry.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have launched a probe into the crash, and are continuing to work alongside the police force to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Yesterday, a spokesperson said: ‘Our current focus is on gathering physical evidence from the accident site and interviewing witnesses.
‘The remains of the helicopter will then be recovered and transported back to our headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire, for further detailed investigation.’
Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner, descried it as a ‘heartbreaking day for the Isle of Wight’.
She also praised the emergency services for their swift response and said the devastating incident has ‘deeply shocked’ the community.
She said: ‘My deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the three people who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight this morning.
A helicopter joins emergency services at the crash site on Monday morning
‘My thoughts are also with the fourth individual who remains in hospital in a critical condition.
‘This is a devastating incident that has deeply shocked the local community.. The families affected are being supported during this incredibly difficult time.
‘I want to thank all of our emergency services for their swift and dedicated response, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, and hospital staff.
‘The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has now launched a formal investigation into the crash, and we await further details as they work to understand what happened.
‘This is a heartbreaking day for the Isle of Wight, and my thoughts remain firmly with everyone affected.’
Since, Northumbria Helicopters, a firm based at Newcastle International Airport, have confirmed one of its helicopters a G-OCLV – which is listed as a Robinson R44 II – was involved in the crash.
The firm offers pilot training, flying lessons starting from £199 for 20 minutes, as well as pleasure flights from its base in Newcastle.
It is understood the firm visits the island several times a year for pleasure flights and was last there at the end of July.
Members of the Air Accident Investigation Branch inspect the helicopter at the scene near Sandown, Isle of Wight
Eyewitness Leigh Goldsmith, who was driving her mother towards Shanklin, said she saw the helicopter ‘spiralling’ down to the ground before disappearing out of sight, ending up in a hedgerow.
She said there were four people in the helicopter, two in the front and two in the back. Ms Goldsmith called emergency services.
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent attended the scene.
Fire engines from Shanklin, Ventnor and Newport were also on site, alongside police, trying to help tackle the aftermath of the crash.
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman said a major incident was declared to co-ordinate the response.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said a critical care team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic were deployed.
A spokeswoman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance confirmed that one person had been airlifted to hospital.
She said: ‘We have treated and airlifted one patient to the major trauma centre, University Hospital Southampton. ‘Our thoughts are with them, and everyone involved in today’s incident.’
It comes as police and crime commissioner shared her ‘deepest condolences’ to the families of three people who lost their lives
Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson described the crash as a ‘tragedy’, with Shanklin Town Council praising the pilot for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from houses.
‘Shanklin Town Council was shocked to hear about the incident involving a pleasure flight helicopter crash landing on the outskirts of the town,’ it said in a statement.
‘This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport.
‘One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air.
‘This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.
‘Our thoughts and prays are with the individuals involved as well as their immediate families, not forgetting the quick action and professionalism of our emergency services.’
On Tuesday, the road next to the crash remained been cordoned off by police.
Investigators could be seen carrying out checks of the helicopter and turning one of the propellers.
Video footage released today shows the helicopter involved in the collision taking off from Sandown Airport on Sunday evening, the night before the crash.’
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
