A THIRD person has died after a military helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the soldier, who was from the Infantry Training Centre, at Catterick garrison, about three miles from the crash site, died today as a result of his injuries. His family was at his bedside.

Seven other recruits, a member of permanent staff from the centre and an airman, were injured in the accident.

RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant David Sale, 28, and crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, 27, died at the scene.

An RAF spokesman said that three of the injured had been discharged from hospital and the others continued to make "steady progress."

None of the injured have been named.

The Puma helicopter crashed into a field near Hudswell Grange, three miles west of Catterick Garrison, at 9pm on Wednesday (Aug 8), during a routine training exercise.