Princess Anne's quick getaway as helicopter catches fire
Princess Anne was forced to abandon a helicopter moments before take-off yesterday when its starter engine burst into flames.
Crowds of schoolchildren who had gathered to wave off the Princess Royal looked on in horror as she leapt out of the aircraft as it rapidly filled with smoke.
"For one awful moment people thought the Princess may have been injured but apparently she was fine," said one boy who witnessed the drama in the grounds of Denbigh High School, North Wales, at 2.30pm.
An electrical fault was thought to be the cause of the fire in the Sikorsky S76 C+, part of the Royal Flight. The Princess, 57, accompanied by two aides, was sitting in the back of the helicopter when the fire broke out.
Princess Anne next to the helicopter she was forced to scramble from
A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft and the pilot used a carbon dioxide extinguisher to tackle the fire.
"Fire officers examined the helicopter and it is believed the fire broke out in the starter motor.'
The schoolboy witness added: "There was quite a bit of smoke billowing out of the cabin and everyone got out of the helicopter pretty quickly."
Princess Anne: Had to escape from a burning helicopter
Princess Anne, ninth in line to the throne, had flown in the helicopter yesterday morning from her home at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire, for an official visit to Denbigh Infirmary.
She was due to fly on to nearby Wrexham to visit a kitchen factory.
After the fire, she made the journey by car where she arrived 30 minutes late.
The S76 C+ has been used for flying members of the Royal Family since 1998. It is operated by the royal household from Blackbushe Aerodrome in Hampshire. Last year it clocked up 395 flying hours.
Last night Buckingham Palace played down the incident.
A spokesman said: "The Princess was absolutely fine.
"She was keen to meet the rest of her engagements and continued by car."
