Compensation claim against the MoD following Kabul helicopter crash

Fieldfisher's Keith Barrett supported the family of Gordon Emin this week during the inquest into his and four other deaths following a helicopter crash in Kabul in October 2015.

44-year-old Emin, a security worker, was flying with British and US military personnel when crew lost control of the Puma Mk 2 aircraft as they tried to land on a football pitch at Nato's Resolute Support mission headquarters in the Afghan capital.

The helicopter hit a cable tethering a surveillance balloon near the landing site, which they couldn't see. The crew had previously been unable to land on the football pitch because people were playing on it.

The Coroner described the tragedy as 'an avoidable accident', adding that the proximity of the balloon to the landing site and the management of the pitch were contributory factors.

Keith will now work with Mr Emin's family on a civil case against the Ministry of Defence for compensation.

The MoD issued a statement saying it will consider the coroner's recommendations to ensure that such tragic events do not happen again.

Image source: Wikipedia