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| Tornado crash airmen are 'fine' | Tornado crash airmen are 'fine' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Two airmen are described as "fine" after their RAF Tornado crashed into The Wash close to a practice bombing range in Lincolnshire. | Two airmen are described as "fine" after their RAF Tornado crashed into The Wash close to a practice bombing range in Lincolnshire. |
| The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the incident happened on Tuesday morning at Holbeach Range. | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the incident happened on Tuesday morning at Holbeach Range. |
| It is thought the two-seater GR4 Tornado from RAF Marham in Norfolk was using the range. | It is thought the two-seater GR4 Tornado from RAF Marham in Norfolk was using the range. |
| The airmen were taken to hospital in King's Lynn. An inquiry has been launched into the cause of the crash. | The airmen were taken to hospital in King's Lynn. An inquiry has been launched into the cause of the crash. |
| The crew were picked up from the sea by Sea King helicopters from the Wattisham Army Base and RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire. | The crew were picked up from the sea by Sea King helicopters from the Wattisham Army Base and RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire. |
| 'Flying safely' | 'Flying safely' |
| Air Commodore Greg Bagwell, from RAF Marham, said: "I've spoken to the crew and they're fine. | Air Commodore Greg Bagwell, from RAF Marham, said: "I've spoken to the crew and they're fine. |
| "We've already set up an inquiry that will go through the full process to establish the reasons and causes of the crash and we will act upon that." | "We've already set up an inquiry that will go through the full process to establish the reasons and causes of the crash and we will act upon that." |
| Michael Mulford, from the RAF rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss, said the airmen will be checked for spinal injuries. | Michael Mulford, from the RAF rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss, said the airmen will be checked for spinal injuries. |
| "Everyone who ejects is liable to have some back trouble or back pain and it's a question of just working out how they have come through the ejection," he said. | "Everyone who ejects is liable to have some back trouble or back pain and it's a question of just working out how they have come through the ejection," he said. |
| Holbeach Range is north of Holbeach and is used as a bombing range by Tornados, Harriers and Jaguar aircraft. | Holbeach Range is north of Holbeach and is used as a bombing range by Tornados, Harriers and Jaguar aircraft. |
| 'Supersonic speeds' | 'Supersonic speeds' |
| Practice bombs are dropped on a variety of targets on the range, which is based on the south side of The Wash. | Practice bombs are dropped on a variety of targets on the range, which is based on the south side of The Wash. |
| The Tornado GR4, which costs around £30m, is considered as the RAF's primary attack aircraft, flying at low level and supersonic speeds. | The Tornado GR4, which costs around £30m, is considered as the RAF's primary attack aircraft, flying at low level and supersonic speeds. |
| The two engine aircraft can reach top speeds of 1,452mph at 36,000ft (10,972m) and 710mph at sea level. | The two engine aircraft can reach top speeds of 1,452mph at 36,000ft (10,972m) and 710mph at sea level. |
| RAF Marham operates four squadrons of Tornado GR4 and each aircraft carries a pilot and a navigator. | RAF Marham operates four squadrons of Tornado GR4 and each aircraft carries a pilot and a navigator. |
| A Tornado GR4 from the base crashed into the Humber estuary on 17 May 2002. Both crew members ejected to safety. |