Tributes have been paid to three people who died in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight. Justyna Czoska, 52, Wojciech Kowalkowski, 49, and 54-year-old Simon Hewitt were killed when the aircraft came down near Shanklin on Monday morning. Ms Czoska’s daughters and family said she was “our best friend”, and Mr Kowalkowski’s family said the father of two would be “deeply missed”. Mr Hewitt’s partner and family said they were “absolutely broken”, describing him as “the most wonderful, intelligent, kind man and father”. A fourth person in the helicopter, a man in his 30s, was airlifted to hospital after the crash. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said he was in a stable condition. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has started an investigation into what happened, but said it was likely to take 12 months. In a post on Facebook earlier, Ms Czoska’s daughter said: “I have no words, the world took my mum too soon.” A fundraiser for the family has been set up by Jacob Butler, who said his partner, Julia Buzar, lost her “beloved mum and her partner” in the tragedy. Ms Czoska had worked at Turpins Lodge Riding School in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire, since March 2024. The riding school said: “We are extremely sad to let everyone know that tragically Justyna our instructor was killed in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight yesterday. Justyna was very well liked at Turpins Lodge by staff and by customers. She will leave a huge hole to fill.” A spokesperson for the AAIB 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.” The wreckage was removed from the site on Tuesday. Witnesses reported the aircraft spiralling before crashing in a field alongside the A3020 at 09:20 BST. A spokesman for operator Northumbria Helicopters said the aircraft had “departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00, was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson”.
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