Weather forces helicopter stop at Sidmouth

Westcliff owner stops off for coffee at Sidmouth hotel after weather forces unscheduled helicopter stop

THE owner of a Sidmouth hotel made an unscheduled stop there this morning (Friday), when sea mist came in, preventing his hired helicopter he and others were travelling in, to continue their journey.

The black six-seater Ecureuil II, which has a range of 405 miles, landed in the grounds of Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, The Westcliff, at 9.45am this morning and left again at 10.26am.

Nearby resident Chris Gibbings captured the brief visit on camera.

Hotel manager, Ken Cumming, said: “The owner of the hotel, Mr Nick Roach, came down in the hotel grounds because of the weather. He had not intended to land here.”

He said Mr Roach and his party had coffee then left to continue their trip.

The hotel has been granted planning permission by East Devon District Council to extend its facilities.