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| Version 22 | Version 23 |
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| Four die in mid-air plane crash | Four die in mid-air plane crash |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two Air Training Corps cadets and their RAF trainers have been killed in a mid-air crash between two light aircraft near the south Wales coast. | |
| They died near the seaside resort of Porthcawl at around 1100 GMT. Their identities have not been revealed. | They died near the seaside resort of Porthcawl at around 1100 GMT. Their identities have not been revealed. |
| The wreckage was spread over about half a mile, with some in sand dunes near Kenfig National Nature Reserve. | The wreckage was spread over about half a mile, with some in sand dunes near Kenfig National Nature Reserve. |
| The Grob planes were involved in "air experience" flights from RAF St Athan with a training school. | The Grob planes were involved in "air experience" flights from RAF St Athan with a training school. |
| Three separate inquiries are under way into the crash. | |
| At least one of the twin-seater planes was on fire when emergency services reached the scene. | At least one of the twin-seater planes was on fire when emergency services reached the scene. |
| One eyewitness told the BBC she saw two planes hit each other, before she heard an explosion. | One eyewitness told the BBC she saw two planes hit each other, before she heard an explosion. |
| Aerial footage of the air crash scene near Porthcawl | Aerial footage of the air crash scene near Porthcawl |
| Reena Callingham told the BBC News website she was putting out her washing when she saw two planes flying close together. | Reena Callingham told the BBC News website she was putting out her washing when she saw two planes flying close together. |
| "I just couldn't believe it. At first there wasn't an explosion straight away but then there was. They just went down," she said. | "I just couldn't believe it. At first there wasn't an explosion straight away but then there was. They just went down," she said. |
| Supt Tim Jones, of South Wales Police, said: "There are believed to be a total of four fatalities. | Supt Tim Jones, of South Wales Police, said: "There are believed to be a total of four fatalities. |
| "I hope you all understand at this time our priority is to talk to members of the family and next of kin and we are working together to support them at this most difficult time. | "I hope you all understand at this time our priority is to talk to members of the family and next of kin and we are working together to support them at this most difficult time. |
| "A major incident room has been set up at police headquarters in Bridgend and a response is being co-ordinated from there." | "A major incident room has been set up at police headquarters in Bridgend and a response is being co-ordinated from there." |
| The crash scene was close to the M4 motorway, near a nature reserve | The crash scene was close to the M4 motorway, near a nature reserve |
| He said it was a complex response because of the nature of the scenes they were managing and that it would be a joint investigation. | He said it was a complex response because of the nature of the scenes they were managing and that it would be a joint investigation. |
| "Clearly, the scene is expansive and we will be needing to protect the scene tonight to maintain the integrity of the investigation and we would appeal to members of the public to avoid the area tonight," he said. | "Clearly, the scene is expansive and we will be needing to protect the scene tonight to maintain the integrity of the investigation and we would appeal to members of the public to avoid the area tonight," he said. |
| He said debris was strewn across quite a wide area and officers were receiving reports from members of public coming across the debris. | He said debris was strewn across quite a wide area and officers were receiving reports from members of public coming across the debris. |
| Although the aircraft flew from their base at RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, around 20 miles from where they crashed, their "parent" headquarters is the number one Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. | Although the aircraft flew from their base at RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, around 20 miles from where they crashed, their "parent" headquarters is the number one Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. |
| An RAF Grob training aircraft - photo: Air Team Images | An RAF Grob training aircraft - photo: Air Team Images |
| Andy Naysmith, group captain in charge of flight training at Cranwell, said a service inquiry had been initiated and was being run in parallel with the police and air accident investigation. | Andy Naysmith, group captain in charge of flight training at Cranwell, said a service inquiry had been initiated and was being run in parallel with the police and air accident investigation. |
| He said: "We would like to learn what lessons we can from this tragic incident." | He said: "We would like to learn what lessons we can from this tragic incident." |
| He added: "Four members of the RAF family have tragically lost their lives following an accident which took place near Porthcawl just before lunchtime today. Those who died were two members of the RAF and two Air Training Corps cadets. " | |
| Grp Cpt Naysmith said next of kin have been informed but the families want more time before they are named "to let them absorb and come to terms with this devastating news". | |
| He said the Grob Tutors were twin-seater, propeller, light aircraft. | |
| "I would like to hereby thank all members of the emergency services for their rapid and caring response and once again ask for the media to exercise restraint at this most difficult time for the families," he added. | "I would like to hereby thank all members of the emergency services for their rapid and caring response and once again ask for the media to exercise restraint at this most difficult time for the families," he added. |
| Superintendent Tim Jones explains the investigation so far | Superintendent Tim Jones explains the investigation so far |
| Flight lieutenant Alastair Hawes said the planes were on "air experience" flights. | Flight lieutenant Alastair Hawes said the planes were on "air experience" flights. |
| Such flights usually feature an RAF instructor alongside someone, usually a young person or cadet, who is interested in a military career. | Such flights usually feature an RAF instructor alongside someone, usually a young person or cadet, who is interested in a military career. |
| Rod Hammerton, head of operations for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said some 90 firefighters were initially sent to the scene of the crash. | Rod Hammerton, head of operations for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said some 90 firefighters were initially sent to the scene of the crash. |
| He said: "Twenty-four appliances and 90 firefighters were despatched, as well as chemical units and search and rescue. During the incident most resources were not used. | He said: "Twenty-four appliances and 90 firefighters were despatched, as well as chemical units and search and rescue. During the incident most resources were not used. |
| "We would like to extend our sympathy to those who have and will be touched by this, and would like to thank the other emergency services." | "We would like to extend our sympathy to those who have and will be touched by this, and would like to thank the other emergency services." |
| A casualty bureau number 0800 096 1011 has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned relatives may be involved. | A casualty bureau number 0800 096 1011 has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned relatives may be involved. |
| A number of helicopters were used during the incident to gather evidence. | |
| The inquiries will be undertaken by police, Ministry of Defence and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). |