A survivor of a North Sea helicopter crash is demanding a public inquiry after grieving relatives of the tragedy were snubbed by ministers.
Martin Tosh, 36, of Kintore, Aberdeenshire, nearly died after a Super Puma ditched off Shetland in August 2013. Four other oil rig workers perished.
Now the father-of-two has started an e-petition in a bid to force the Government to reverse its decision refusing an official probe into the tragedy. He said: “The survivors and the victims deserve a public inquiry.”
The transport select committee initially called for a public safety inquiry but the UK Government ruled it out in October. Then transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin angered bereaved relatives when he refused to meet them.
Louise Ellman MP is supporting calls for an inquiry into helicopter safety. “A public enquiry is required to establish the role of the oil and gas industry in relation to safety,” she said.
The Department for Transport said it is vital “oil and gas workers’ confidence” is rebuilt “in the wake of this tragedy”. Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin and George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire, died.
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