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Four die in mid-air plane crash Four die in mid-air plane crash
(30 minutes later)
Four people have been killed in a mid-air collision between two aircraft near the south Wales coast.Four people have been killed in a mid-air collision between two aircraft near the south Wales coast.
Police confirmed the fatalities in the crash, which was near the seaside resort of Porthcawl at around 1100 GMT. 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 nature reserve.The wreckage was spread over about half a mile, with some in sand dunes near Kenfig nature reserve.
The two aircraft were from the flight training school based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Two separate inquiries are under way into the crash.
One eyewitness told the BBC she saw two planes hit each other in the sky, before she heard an explosion.One eyewitness told the BBC she saw two planes hit each other in the sky, before she heard an explosion.
Aerial footage of the air crash scene near PorthcawlAerial 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.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: "We received reports shortly before 11am today that two light aircraft had landed in the vicinity near Kenfig nature reserve, Porthcawl. Supt Tim Jones, of South Wales Police, said: "There are believed to be a total of four fatalities.
"Officers are attending at the scene. Inquiries are ongoing to establish what has taken place. No further information is available at this stage. "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.
"There was a collision involving two light aircraft, an aircraft collision investigation is underway. "A major incident room has been set up at police headquarters in Bridgend and a response is being co-ordinated from there."
"There are fatalities but it hasn't been confirmed how many as yet." 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.
Officers are working at contact the next of kin of those who died in the crash. Four die in mid-air plane crash
A casualty bureau number has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned relatives may be involved, the number is 0800 096 1011. "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.
A full investigation in conjunction with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is ongoing. He said debris was strewn across quite a wide area and officers were receiving reports from members of public coming across the debris.
The spokesman added that the aircraft have landed in a sand dunes area, and not in any populated areas. Andy Naysmith, group captain in charge of RAF flight training at RAF Cranwell, said the two aircraft originated from there.
Bridgend Superintendent Tim Jones said: "A full investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident. He said a service inquiry had been initiated and was being run in parallel with the police and air accident investigation.
"Both aircrafts have landed in different areas of the sand dunes near to Kenfig Hill Nature Reserve, Porthcawl. He said: "We would like to learn what lessons we can from this tragic incident."
"We cannot at this stage confirm further details of the aircraft involved or details of any the aircrafts' occupants. 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.
Emergency services at the scene of the crash
"A cordon has been established and officers are at the scene."
Members of the public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their duties.
"The possibility exists that debris may be strewn across a wide area and we would appeal to members of the public to leave it in place and contact us so we may arrange recovery and examination," he said.
There were two crash sites a few hundred yards apart on the road from Porthcawl to Mawdlam.
BBC Wales Today's Nicola Smith reports from the air crash sceneBBC Wales Today's Nicola Smith reports from the air crash scene
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "At this stage, we cannot confirm the type of aircraft involved or where they may have come from.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "At this stage, we cannot confirm the type of aircraft involved or where they may have come from.
"Two rescue helicopters were scrambled, along with the South Wales Police air support unit."Two rescue helicopters were scrambled, along with the South Wales Police air support unit.
"The two rescue helicopters are a Sea King from RAF Chivenor in Devon and the Coastguard helicopter from Portland. Civilian police, fire and ambulance services are also in attendance.""The two rescue helicopters are a Sea King from RAF Chivenor in Devon and the Coastguard helicopter from Portland. Civilian police, fire and ambulance services are also in attendance."
Porthcawl and Port Talbot coastguard teams and the Central Beacons mountain rescue team were also called to help.Porthcawl and Port Talbot coastguard teams and the Central Beacons mountain rescue team were also called to help.