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| Red Arrows jet crashes in Wales killing an RAF engineer | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| An RAF engineer died after a Red Arrows jet crashed in north Wales, a spokesman has said. | |
| The Hawk aircraft is thought to have crashed early this afternoon near the RAF Valley base in Anglesey and two people ejected, according to a witness. | The Hawk aircraft is thought to have crashed early this afternoon near the RAF Valley base in Anglesey and two people ejected, according to a witness. |
| The jet was destroyed by the crash and the condition of the two people on board is unknown. | |
| Group captain Nick Tucker-Lowe said in a statement: “It’s with great sadness that the RAF can confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF aerobatics team The Red Arrows in a tragic accident today. | |
| “The engineer’s family have been informed and have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released. | |
| “The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.” | |
| Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time.” | |
| The Red Arrows tweeted: “We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft. We are investigating the incident.” | The Red Arrows tweeted: “We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft. We are investigating the incident.” |
| Deno James, a pipe welder for O’Connor Utilities, saw the aftermath of the crash and said: “I was near the compound and the plane came around to do a practice landing on the runway. | Deno James, a pipe welder for O’Connor Utilities, saw the aftermath of the crash and said: “I was near the compound and the plane came around to do a practice landing on the runway. |
| “It missed the runway and landed at the left hand side. Two pilots were ejected about 200 yards from the ground. | “It missed the runway and landed at the left hand side. Two pilots were ejected about 200 yards from the ground. |
| “I pulled up for a moment in my truck watching and watched the plane come over my head. | “I pulled up for a moment in my truck watching and watched the plane come over my head. |
| “I know it was a Red Arrow because I’ve seen them at an air display before.” | “I know it was a Red Arrow because I’ve seen them at an air display before.” |
| Paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the base. | Paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the base. |
| A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called shortly before 1.30pm this afternoon to reports an aircraft had crashed at RAF Valley in Holyhead. | A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called shortly before 1.30pm this afternoon to reports an aircraft had crashed at RAF Valley in Holyhead. |
| “There is an emergency ambulance and a Wales Air Ambulance at the scene.” | “There is an emergency ambulance and a Wales Air Ambulance at the scene.” |
| The world-famous Red Arrows aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and fly the distinctive Hawk-fast jets. | |
| RAF Valley is home to No 4 Flying Training School, which trains pilots in mountain and maritime warfare. The military’s Mountain Rescue Service is also based there. | RAF Valley is home to No 4 Flying Training School, which trains pilots in mountain and maritime warfare. The military’s Mountain Rescue Service is also based there. |
| In total about 1,500 people work at the base. | In total about 1,500 people work at the base. |