A helicopter has crashed into the sea near Flamborough, East Yorkshire.
The alarm was raised around 1.40pm by a concerned member of the public.
It is understood a white private helicopter crashed after trying to land on a golf course.
A rescue is underway but it is unclear how many people were on board.
A Humberside Police spokesperson said it was not a force helicopter that had crashed, contrary to early eyewitness reports.
A statement released by police said: “Police received a call from a concerned member of public reporting a helicopter having crashed into the sea off the coast near Flamborough at around 1340 hours today.
“Police, coastguard and ambulance service attended the area right away and a search was carried out which resulted in the helicopter being located in the sea off the coast of Flamborough near the lighthouse.
“An area has been cordoned off while the emergency services and coast guard continue their work.
“Initial inquiries are being made in order to try and establish the circumstances which led to the helicopter coming down.”
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the site of the crash due to dangerous cliff edges and aviation fuel in the water.
Chris Feast, from Flamborough Head Golf Club, said a number of golfers had spotted a helicopter trying to land near the 17th green and then reported hearing a ‘loud bang and crash’.
Lifeboats from Bridlington and Flamborough have been launched and a Yorkshire Air Ambulance is at the scene.