Crashed Tornados located on seabed

06 July 2012

Two Tornado jets which crashed into the Moray Firth have been located on the seabed, the MoD has confirmed.

The jets were involved in a collision shortly before 2pm on the afternoon of 3 July.

Of the four air crew involved in the incident, two were recovered from the sea by Search and Rescue teams shortly afterwards, but Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, 28, died in hospital later that day. The second man from his aircraft remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The two crewmen from the second Tornado, Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey, 36, and Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, 27, are missing presumed dead.

Pictures of the wreckage have already been taken by survey ship Ocean Star, and Hunt class minesweeper HMS Cattistock is heading to the exclusion zone around the site to take further pictures before recovery is attempted next week.

Moray MP Angus Robertson told The Scotsman: "It is difficult to imagine the pain being felt by the families affected by the death of three airmen in the Moray Firth and the serious injury of a fourth. There is not a community in Moray where people do not know RAF personnel and a tragedy like this is felt very deeply.

"The three officers who have lost their lives will leave a huge gap for many people in both the military and civilian community in Moray.

"Our thoughts go out those affected and to the injured airman who has been rescued and remains in hospital at this time."