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Fatal air crash wreckage removed | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Both planes involved in a mid air collision which killed two teenagers and two instructors has been removed from the crash site in south Wales. | |
Nikkita Walters, 13, her cousin Katie-Jo Davies, 14, and instructors Hylton Price, 63, and Andrew Marsh, 24 were killed in the crash over Porthcawl. | |
A police cordon remains around the area of the Kenfig Nature Reserve where the wreckage came down on Wednesday. | |
Over 7,000 have joined a tribute group on social networking site Facebook. | |
The two girls, members of the Air Training Corps, were being taken on 30-minute "air experience" flights when the two aircraft crashed above sand dunes on Wednesday morning. | |
It is believed the planes clipped wings before tumbling in flames from the sky. | |
Tonyrefail Comprehensive School has paid tribute to the cousins who died | |
It is not known whether the cousins were at the controls when the collision happened. | |
Both girls were from Evanstown, near Gilfach Goch in the south Wales valleys, and Year 9 pupils at Tonyrefail Comprehensive. | |
Mr Price was from Bridgend, and fellow pilot Andrew Marsh was from Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan. | Mr Price was from Bridgend, and fellow pilot Andrew Marsh was from Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan. |
Initially it was thought removal of the aircraft would take all weekend, but the remains of one were recovered on Friday morning and the remaining fragments of the second plane were removed later. | |
So many of us have sat all kitted up, excitedly waiting to be called up for your flight, never would you think it would end like this Tribute message on Facebook | |
A multi-agency response team is working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the affected area is sensitively cleared up as the area is a site of special scientific interest. | |
Assistant Chief Constable Colette Paul said their thoughts were "still very much with the families" of those who died in the crash. | |
She said family liaison officers were working to offer the bereaved every assistance possible. | |
ACC Paul also praised the professionalism of everyone working on what she said was a "difficult operation". | |
Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people have joined a memorial group on Facebook. | |
Wreckage and debris were strewn across half a mile near Porthcawl | |
Many ATC squadrons across the UK said on the site they were planning to hold silences in memory of the four at their Friday evening parades. | |
One message left on Facebook read: "So many of us have sat all kitted up, excitedly waiting to be called up for your flight, never would you think it would end like this." | |
On Thursday, the families of the two schoolgirls spoke of their "devastation". | On Thursday, the families of the two schoolgirls spoke of their "devastation". |
Katie-Jo was on her first flight after joining the Air Training Corps just before Christmas. | Katie-Jo was on her first flight after joining the Air Training Corps just before Christmas. |
Nikkita had been a member of the ATC in Pontypridd since last June and had just passed her first class cadet examinations. | |
Both airmen who died were known for their "cheerful personalities" and their "infectious" enthusiasm for flying, said colleagues. | |
Excellent flying skills | |
Neath-born Flying Officer Hylton Price was a retired wing commander who was part of the RAF voluntary reserves and an experienced instructor. | Neath-born Flying Officer Hylton Price was a retired wing commander who was part of the RAF voluntary reserves and an experienced instructor. |
The Cardiff university graduate was brought up in Swansea and was a former Tornado and Phantom jet pilot. He was married, with no children. | The Cardiff university graduate was brought up in Swansea and was a former Tornado and Phantom jet pilot. He was married, with no children. |
Flt Lt Andy Marsh, who had "excellent flying skills", was only promoted last week and was waiting to start advanced fast jet training at RAF Valley. | Flt Lt Andy Marsh, who had "excellent flying skills", was only promoted last week and was waiting to start advanced fast jet training at RAF Valley. |
The Cardiff university law graduate was a keen sportsman, who went by the nickname Foam, an abbreviation of his former rank, flying officer, and the initials of his name. | The Cardiff university law graduate was a keen sportsman, who went by the nickname Foam, an abbreviation of his former rank, flying officer, and the initials of his name. |
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has discovered debris is asked to contact South Wales Police on 01656 306102 or 01656 306103. | Anyone who witnessed the incident or has discovered debris is asked to contact South Wales Police on 01656 306102 or 01656 306103. |