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Iraq death crash 'was accident' Iraq death crash 'was accident'
(40 minutes later)
A crash between two helicopters at the start of the Iraq war was an accident, a coroner has ruled.A crash between two helicopters at the start of the Iraq war was an accident, a coroner has ruled.
Seven men died in 2003 when the two Cornwall-based Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided.Seven men died in 2003 when the two Cornwall-based Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided.
One was returning to HMS Ark Royal in the Arabian Sea and another was leaving the ship when the accident happened.One was returning to HMS Ark Royal in the Arabian Sea and another was leaving the ship when the accident happened.
Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Sir Richard Curtis recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest which opened on 3 January.Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Sir Richard Curtis recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest which opened on 3 January.
The men who died were all from 849 Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall.The men who died were all from 849 Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall.
They were: Lt Philip Green, 30, from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire; Lt Anthony King, 35, from Helston, Cornwall; Lt Marc Lawrence, 26, from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent; Lt Philip West, 32, from Budock Water, Cornwall; Lt James Williams, 28, from Falmouth, Cornwall; and Lt Andrew Wilson, 36, from Exeter, Devon, and 27-year-old Lt Thomas Mullen Adams, of the US Navy, who was stationed at RNAS Culdrose.They were: Lt Philip Green, 30, from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire; Lt Anthony King, 35, from Helston, Cornwall; Lt Marc Lawrence, 26, from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent; Lt Philip West, 32, from Budock Water, Cornwall; Lt James Williams, 28, from Falmouth, Cornwall; and Lt Andrew Wilson, 36, from Exeter, Devon, and 27-year-old Lt Thomas Mullen Adams, of the US Navy, who was stationed at RNAS Culdrose.
Lt Tony King from Exeter was among those who died Lt Tony King from Helston was among those who died
The accidental death verdict came as a blow to some of the families who have waited nearly four years for an inquest and yet for whom the cause of the deaths is still a mystery. Several relatives gave emotional tributes to their relatives during the inquest.
Several gave emotional tributes to their relatives during the inquest.
Sir Richard apologised for the "terrible" and "quite unacceptable" delay in bringing the inquest.Sir Richard apologised for the "terrible" and "quite unacceptable" delay in bringing the inquest.
He said: "I well realise the worry and anxiety you have all been through because of the delay and let's hope it never happens again.He said: "I well realise the worry and anxiety you have all been through because of the delay and let's hope it never happens again.
"I express that hope in your names, because it is quite, quite unacceptable.""I express that hope in your names, because it is quite, quite unacceptable."
The inquest into the accident on 22 March 2003 heard long and technical evidence from witnesses.The inquest into the accident on 22 March 2003 heard long and technical evidence from witnesses.
The helicopters had been undertaking surveillance work for British forces in the al-Faw peninsula.The helicopters had been undertaking surveillance work for British forces in the al-Faw peninsula.
The inquest earlier heard from an air traffic controller that the two helicopters had seen each other before a last-minute change of direction by one of the aircraft.The inquest earlier heard from an air traffic controller that the two helicopters had seen each other before a last-minute change of direction by one of the aircraft.
Alan Massey, at the time a Captain and now a Rear Admiral, earlier told the Oxford inquest: "All I know is that the aircraft flew into each other.Alan Massey, at the time a Captain and now a Rear Admiral, earlier told the Oxford inquest: "All I know is that the aircraft flew into each other.
"We can't for the life of us fathom what it was.""We can't for the life of us fathom what it was."
The Ministry of Defence is expected to make a statement. Barry Wilson, father of Lt Andrew Wilson, said the inquest "could perhaps have been handled better but I might not have dealt with it quite as well had it been held nearer the time".
Asked if the conclusion of the inquest would draw a line under events for his family, he said: "It'll never end for us."