Jul 18 2012
tornado Image 1
THE remains of two RAF pilots have been recovered from the site of a Tornado jet crash off the north coast of Scotland, the Ministry of Defence said.
Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, 27, and?Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey, 26.?had been missing since the accident involving two jets over the Moray Firth on July 3.?
Earlier today, the ?MoD said remains found were those of Flt Lt Sanders. They later confirmed additional remains recovered from the wreckage were identified as Sqn Ldr Bailey.
A spokesman said: "The RAF can confirm that the remains of Sqn Ldr Sam Bailey have been formally identified and the next of kin informed, our thoughts and prayers remain with them at this very difficult time."
Meanwhile, members of the public today attended the funeral of a third pilot killed in the crash in his hometown of Bangor, Wales.
Ft Lt Hywel Poole, 28, an officer from 15 (Reserve) Squadron and based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, died in hospital after being picked up by a helicopter.
He had been training on the Tornado GR4, the aircraft involved in the crash, since November last year.
Flt Lt Sanders was educated at Scarisbrick Hall School in Lancashire before joining the RAF.
Squadron Leader Bailey was originally from Nottingham and joined the Tornado force in 2001, serving in Iraq. He had been an instructor with 15 (Reserve) Squadron since 2004.
Days after the crash, Captain Ian Gale, station commander at Lossiemouth base, said there was "no expectation" of recovering Flt Lt Sanders and Squadron Leader Bailey alive.
A fourth crewman is still in a serious condition in hospital.
The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack jet carrying a variety of weapons and can reach an altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m).
A spokesman for the RAF said: "The RAF can confirm that the remains of Flt Lt Adam Sanders have been recovered from the area of the Tornado accident in the Moray Firth.
"Formal identification has been completed and the next-of-kin have been informed. Additional remains have also been recovered and are in the process of being formally identified.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the next-of-kin of the aircrew involved in the accident all at this very difficult time.
"The next-of-kin of the aircrew involved in this tragic incident and all at RAF Lossiemouth are very grateful for the tremendous show of public support that has been evident since."
The salvage operation got under way last week and the Military Aviation Authority says all of the wreckage has now been recovered.
The RAF spokesman said the service inquiry panel, helped by the Military Air Accident Investigation Branch, will "work quickly and thoroughly to investigate the circumstances of the accident".
The Duke of York attended a memorial service for the men at RAF Lossiemouth and tributes have been paid by Prime Minister David Cameron, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond.
Prince Andrew is an honorary Air Commodore of the station.
Members of the public lined the streets of Bangor this afternoon for the funeral of Flt Lt Hywel Poole.
A private funeral service took place today at the cathedral in the 28-year-old's home city of Bangor, North Wales.
Scores of people stopped in silence outside the cathedral to pay their respects as the funeral cars arrived.
The coffin, covered with the Union flag and a wreath of poppies, was carried into the cathedral by colleagues from 15 Squadron.
Other personnel from RAF Lossiemouth formed a guard of honour as it was taken inside.
During the service, conducted by Reverend (Flight Lieutenant) Stewart Shaw, tributes were paid to the airman by colleagues and loved ones.
Hymns including I Vow To Thee My Country and the Welsh language Calon Lan were sung.
A flypast by three RAF Lossiemouth Tornados was expected to take place later as a wake is held at RAF Valley on nearby Anglesey.
Group Captain Ian Gale, station commander at Lossiemouth, said the deaths of Flt Lt Poole and his colleagues were a "dreadful loss" to 15 Squadron and the RAF.
Speaking before the funeral began, he said: "The loss of these men has been felt very, very deeply by the military family but our grief is second obviously to that of the families.
"H was a kind and compassionate man, always had time for those around him, always giving the personal touch and an exceptionally talented pilot to boot."
Grp Capt Gale said Flt Lt Poole had won prizes for his flying and had been due to move to 617 Squadron - the famous Dambusters - on completion of his training this month.
"Professionally, the RAF has lost an exceedingly fine officer and H undoubtedly had a glittering career ahead of him and our thoughts and sympathies are with every member of his family," he added.
He said the investigation into the cause of the accident was continuing and the RAF will "move swiftly" to establish the cause and the answers.
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