This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-18700794#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Tornado jet crash: Crew search not resumed Tornado jet crash: Search and rescue now 'a recovery operation'
(40 minutes later)
The search has not resumed for two airmen missing in the Moray Firth after two RAF Tornado jets crashed. The search for two missing air crew in the Moray Firth is now a recovery operation, officials have confirmed.
The GR4 jets are understood to have collided on Tuesday afternoon. Two Tornado GR4 jets from RAF Lossiemouth, in north east Scotland, are understood to have collided mid-air on Tuesday afternoon.
The aircraft, which each have a crew of two, were from RAF Lossiemouth, in the north east of Scotland. Two of the four air crew were airlifted to hospital in Inverness but there are no details about their condition. Two of the four air crew involved were airlifted to hospital but there are no details on their condition.
BBC Scotland understands efforts in the firth are now focused on recovery. Searches had been made for the other two men but the Coastguard said the focus was now on recovery.
Visibility was said to be poor in the area. Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said: "The search and rescue phase of the mission was terminated at 7.04pm yesterday evening.
Police and the Coastguard have been patrolling shorelines and members of the public have been asked to report any debris. "We are now in a recovery phase.
"We stand by to assist the Ministry of Defence in any way that we can if required."
Wreckage from one of the aircraft was recovered by the Buckie lifeboat, the location of the second is not yet known.
Police and the Coastguard have been patrolling shorelines and members of the public have been asked to report any other debris found.
Wreckage collectedWreckage collected
Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident at about 13:50 BST on Tuesday, after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick.Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident at about 13:50 BST on Tuesday, after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick.
The RNLI said 15 volunteers manned the Wick, Invergordon and Buckie lifeboats, which were used to search for the missing personnel.The RNLI said 15 volunteers manned the Wick, Invergordon and Buckie lifeboats, which were used to search for the missing personnel.
The boats headed for the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway in the Western Isles.The boats headed for the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway in the Western Isles.
Wreckage from one of the aircraft was collected from the water and transported back to shore on lifeboat Buckie - the location of the second aircraft is not yet known.
Lossiemouth station commander Gp Capt Ian Gale said: "The circumstances remain uncertain, but clearly this is a very serious incident.Lossiemouth station commander Gp Capt Ian Gale said: "The circumstances remain uncertain, but clearly this is a very serious incident.
"The thoughts from everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved.""The thoughts from everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved."
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected.First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected.
"I understand rescue services have done all they can to help with the situation and offer my thanks to all those involved."I understand rescue services have done all they can to help with the situation and offer my thanks to all those involved.
There have been previous accidents involving RAF Tornado aircraft.There have been previous accidents involving RAF Tornado aircraft.
In January 2011, an engine fire caused a Tornado GR4 based at RAF Lossiemouth to crash into the sea off north west Scotland - the crew in that incident managed to eject to safety.In January 2011, an engine fire caused a Tornado GR4 based at RAF Lossiemouth to crash into the sea off north west Scotland - the crew in that incident managed to eject to safety.
The following month, a Tornado crew was forced to eject after experiencing problems landing at the same base - there were not thought to have been serious injuries.The following month, a Tornado crew was forced to eject after experiencing problems landing at the same base - there were not thought to have been serious injuries.
The supersonic Tornado GR4 attack aircraft has seen decades of RAF service, being used in various military operations that include in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and most recently Libya.The supersonic Tornado GR4 attack aircraft has seen decades of RAF service, being used in various military operations that include in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and most recently Libya.