British rescue services have suspended the search for the seventh man who was on board the helicopter that crashed into the Irish sea last night.
Rig workers Robert Warburton, Leslie Ahmed, John Shaw and Alfred Neasham along with pilots Stephen Potton and Simon Foddering were killed when their helicopter came down in Morecambe Bay, about 32km off the Lancashire coast.
The four gas workers had been on the rig through Christmas and were returning home for the New Year.
The missing man has been named as Keith Smith. Two RAF helicopters and two local lifeboats conducted a search for Mr Smith throughout the day.
The helicopter left Blackpool airport at 6pm yesterday evening to pick up employees of the gas company Centrica from rigs off the Lancashire coast.
It had already made two stops and was approaching a third platform when it ditched into the sea.
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell of Lancashire Police said an investigation had been launched into how the tragedy occurred.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were good and there was no distress call.
