The family of a couple killed in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight have said they are “heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss”.

Justyna Czoska and Wojtek Kowalkowski, from Bloxham in Oxfordshire, were among four people on board the aircraft that came down near Shanklin on Monday morning.

In a post on Facebook, Ms Czoska’s daughter said: “I have no words, the world took my mum too soon.”

One other person died and another is in a serious condition in hospital.

A fundraiser for the family has been set up by Jacob Butler, who said his partner, Julia Buzar, lost her “beloved mum and her partner” in the tragedy.

In a post written in English and Polish, he said: “This sudden and devastating event has left all us heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss.

“We are now trying to bring them both back to Poland so they can be laid to rest with their families, in the place they called home.

“The cost of repatriation, funeral arrangements, and travel is more than we can manage alone, and we are asking for support during this incredibly difficult time.”

Posting on Facebook, Ms Buzar said: “I have no words, the world took my mum too soon, she was the best mum you could ask for, loved by everyone.

“I never thought I’d be writing something like this.

“Please if anyone could help bring them back to Poland so they can be with there [sic] families it would mean the world to me.. Rest in peace mum and Wojtek.”

Ms Czoska had worked at Turpins Lodge Riding School in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire, since March 2024.

In a statement, the riding school said: “We are extremely sad to let everyone know that tragically Justyna our instructor was killed in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight yesterday.

“Justyna was very well liked at Turpins Lodge by staff and by customers.

“Justyna was cheerful, reliable and conscientious. She will leave a huge hole to fill.

“Our thoughts go out to Justyna’s daughters, family and friends.

“We will endeavour to carry on as normally as possible but there may have to be some changes to lessons while we adapt to this very sad situation.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the investigation into the crash was likely to take 12 months.

A spokesperson said earlier: “Our current focus is on gathering physical evidence from the accident site and interviewing witnesses.

“The remains of the helicopter will then be recovered and transported back to our headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire, for further detailed investigation.”

The wreckage was removed from the site on Tuesday.

Witnesses reported the aircraft spiralling before crashing in a field alongside the A3020 at 09:20 BST.

One person was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

A spokesman for operator Northumbria Helicopters said G-OCLV – a Robinson R44 II – had “departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00, was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson”.

The identity of the third victim has not yet been confirmed.