Silent Copterline terminals filled with disconsolate atmosphere

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The atmosphere in Copterline's terminal in Tallinn was tense and confused when the travellers for the 1.30 p.m. helicopter flight to Helsinki were informed about the cancellation of all of Wednesday's remaining flights.
      Finns Pekka Aarnio and Kari Heiskanen, who are engaged in project sales in Tallinn, had to change their helicopter flight into a boat trip by M/S Viking Rosella, which was due to leave for Helsinki at 4.45 p.m.. Because of strong gusts of wind in the Gulf of Finland, all high-speed ferry connections between Helsinki and Tallinn were out of service on Wednesday.
     
The news about the fatal accident had reached the men just before they were due to leave for the terminal, when a friend called and told them about the helicopter crash. At that point they had not heard any official announcement about the accident.
      While feeling saddened by the news, Heiskanen said that he knows the risks as he sometimes flies himself. "However, you don't believe that bad things can happen to you".
     
Estonian waitress Triinu Raudsepp was also deeply affected by the news when she heard in Copterline's Helsinki terminal that the flights were cancelled because of an accident close to the island of Naissaar, some five kilometres from Tallinn. Raudsepp was on her way home to the Estonian capital with her four-year-old daughter Marleen. She was due to start her shift at 6 p.m. at a restaurant in Tallinn.
      As Copterline had reached almost all passengers and told them about the cancellation of flights, Raudsepp was among the few that could be interviewed by the media. While feeling confused, she did not express any fear for future helicopter flights. She said that she might consider flying aboard a helicopter again next summer.
      The atmosphere in the quiet terminal was depressed and Copterline's staff were distraught. After all, just a short while ago, they had lost some of their colleagues.
      The rainy weather outside only added to the sadness of the day. The only smile was seen on the face of little Marleen.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Fourteen passengers and crew dead after helicopter crashes in the sea off Estonian coast (10.8.2005)

Links:
  Copterline

Helsingin Sanomat