LAWYERS representing victims of the Clutha tragedy are calling for a public inquiry into helicopter safety.

Irwin Mitchell's Aviation Law team have written to Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, urging him to launch an inquiry into commercial helicopter safety in the UK.

He also wants a review of the laws that exempt helicopters from having to carry crucial black box recording equipment.

The firm has launched legal action on behalf of injured victims and families who lost loved ones when the Police Scotland EC135 crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub on November 29 last year, resulting in the deaths of 10 people.

Clive Garner, head of the Aviation Law team, said: "The tragedy in Glasgow has put a spotlight on the issue of helicopter safety, but the unfortunate truth is that it is just the latest in a string of tragedies, and urgent action is now needed.

"Our clients rightly want answers and reassurances that no-one else will have to go through the ordeals that they have been through.

"Because of our concerns, we have written to Transport Ministers in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments demanding that they do what is right in these circumstances and launch a full public inquiry into the safety of helicopters operating within UK airspace with the aim of improving helicopter safety."

The company says there have been at least 20 helicopter accidents in UK airspace, with at least 40 fatalities since 2009.

Mr Garner added: "We have also reiterated our call for a review of current and pending regulations to ensure that black box FDR and CVR equipment is required to be fitted to all commercial passenger- carrying helicopters operating in UK airspace.

"In the Clutha Vaults tragedy, we have a sophisticated twin engine helicopter that crashed into a city but there is no black box evidence to assist the investigators and quickly identify the cause of this astonishing accident."

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "The Air Accidents Investigation Branch's investigation into the accident is ongoing. It would therefore be inappropriate to consider a public inquiry at this time."

stef.lach@eveningtimes.co.uk