AN OIL worker from Aberdeen today revealed he was due to be onboard the helicopter that crashed in the North sea.

But a last-minute shift change meant the Super Puma helicopter left without Ian Morrison – saving his life.

The 45-year-old from Collieston Circle, Bridge of Don, said today: “I was due to fly home on the helicopter that crashed, but a bit over an hour before it was due to fly I was asked if I would stay an extra day.

“There was a change in shifts, so about 15 minutes before I was due to check in the plan changed.

“My name was on the list at one point so I feel really fortunate that I was actually asked to stay.”

Mr Morrison, a KCA Deutag roughneck, has worked offshore for 19 years.

He said those on board the Miller platform had been “devastated” by the loss of all those onboard the aircraft.

He added: “I knew pretty much everyone there. We had a good working relationship and I’ll certainly want to attend some of the funerals.

“I’m still in shock at what’s happened and I am devastated for everyone involved.

“Morale on the platform has obviously been hit hard. I think there is just a general feeling of devastation, and people realise how easily it could have been them.”

After the crash, Mr Morrison revealed bosses planned to transport him and others back to Aberdeen by boat.

He said: “Once they has gone through all the risk assessments it was going to take about 12 hours to get back, so I just decided to fly instead.

“A few guys have expressed concern about flying and they would take an alternative to get home if they could.”

He added: “A chopper has been out with counsellors to offer the guys any help they might need.

“When you realise how close to tragedy you have come it does make you rethink things a bit.

“I’ve never had much of a problem before, but this obviously makes everyone think about the risk of flying.”

However, the French manufacturer of Super Puma helicopters today insisted there were no plans to ground the particular model involved in Wednesday’s tragedy. Eurocopter currently has more than 80 of its AS332 L2 aircraft in use around the world.

The Super Puma “family” can trace its roots back to 1978 and currently has almost 640 helicopters in operation.

It is one of the most widely-used aircraft in the world, particularly popular in the offshore oil and gas industry but also with a well-established military record.

A spokeswoman for Eurocopter said there was no evidence to lead the company to ask operators to ground the aircraft: “The L2s have been flying successfully for more than 20 years.

“If there was some indication, we would do it right away.”

The spokeswoman said the helicopter that crashed had been delivered to Bond in 2004 and had flown for more than 7,000 hours.

The spokeswoman said this was the first fatal accident for an L2 helicopter in the North Sea.

Eurocopter has said it will provide full technical assistance to the accident investigators.

The company representative added: “Our thoughts, deepest concerns and sympathies are with the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident and with the staff.”

groberts@ajl.co.uk