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| Airmen eject in RAF Tornado crash | Airmen eject in RAF Tornado crash |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An RAF Tornado aircraft has crashed into The Wash close to a practice bombing range in Lincolnshire. | An RAF Tornado aircraft has crashed into The Wash close to a practice bombing range in Lincolnshire. |
| The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the incident happened just after 1100 BST at Holbeach Range. | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the incident happened just after 1100 BST 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 RAF rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss confirmed the two crew members ejected and have now been taken to hospital in King's Lynn. | The RAF rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss confirmed the two crew members ejected and have now been taken to hospital in King's Lynn. |
| 'Spinal injuries' | 'Spinal injuries' |
| The crew were picked up by Sea King helicopters from the Wattisham Army Base and RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire. | The crew were picked up by Sea King helicopters from the Wattisham Army Base and RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire. |
| Michael Mulford, from the rescue centre, said they are now being examined in hospital. | Michael Mulford, from the rescue centre, said they are now being examined in hospital. |
| "They will be checked over and if necessary taken to a specialist spinal injuries unit," he said. | "They will be checked over and if necessary taken to a specialist spinal injuries unit," 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. | "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 weighing as much as 2,000lbs (907kg) are dropped on a variety of targets on the range, which is based on the south side of The Wash. | Practice bombs weighing as much as 2,000lbs (907kg) 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 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 River Humber, east Yorkshire on 17 May 2002. Both crew members ejected to safety. | A Tornado GR4 from the base crashed into the River Humber, east Yorkshire on 17 May 2002. Both crew members ejected to safety. |