AIR accident investigators are trying to discover how a Thruxton Fast helicopter crashed into woodland between Hurstbourne Tarrant and Ashman-sworth - killing the pilot and two passengers.

The Twin Squirrel helicopter which had taken off from FAST Helicopters at Thruxton airfield on Tuesday afternoon, was travelling north of Andover when its engine apparently failed and it plummeted to the ground.

Eyewitness Ethan Lee, who lives just yards from the scene of the crash, dialled 999 after he saw the helicopter fall from the sky at 2.40pm on Tuesday.

"I just saw the whole thing come down - it literally folded up in the sky," he said.

"I thought it was going to come down on our heads."

And he added: "The worst thing is you can't help thinking of the families who are going to be without loved ones for Christmas."

Ambulance crews and firefighters arrived at the scene, by the A343, within eight minutes.

The helicopter had landed upside down and was on fire on a densely wooded hill, a few yards from the road.

Firefighters fought the blaze for 40 minutes before bringing it under control.

Hampshire Ambulance Service's im-care medic Dr David Sutton certified the pilot and two passengers dead at the scene.

The civilian helicopter was owned by Thruxton-based firm FAST Helicopters who have named the dead pilot as Capt Ian Shoobridge.

An Air Accident Investigation team from Farnborough is currently investigating the accident.

Police officers have also been combing the fields either side of the helicopter's flight path looking for any clues.

The other two men killed in the accident were due to be identified yesterday.