The RAF air crew killed when two Tornado jets crashed in the North Sea have been named.

On Tuesday afternoon the Tornado GR4s came down in the Moray Firth around 25 miles south of Wick.

Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole was rescued following the crash, but later died of his injuries at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

His two colleagues from the 15 (Reserve) Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, are missing presumed dead.

Defence secretary Philip Hammond paid tribute to the three RAF crew in a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday.

He said: "My thoughts and I am sure those of the entire house are with their loved ones at this difficult time and with the fourth member of the squadron involved in the incident who is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital."

Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey, from Nottingham, had previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the squadron in 2004.

Officer Commanding 15 (Reserve) Squadron, Wing Commander Jonathon Moreton, said the leader "touched all the parts of the squadron; an immensely likeable character and professional aviator, he will be sorely missed. Sam was fully committed to all aspects of Service life; however, he valued his family time the most.

"The squadron's and my thoughts are with his wife Fiona and young daughter Erin at this immensely difficult time. This great loss will be felt intensely by all who knew him."

Welshman Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, from Bangor, joined the squadron last November and was described by Wing Commander Moreton as "an infectious personality, always cheerful, friendly and immensely likeable".

Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, from Lancashire, had joined the squadron this year and had a "real enthusiasm toward flying the Tornado GR4", according to his Wing Commander.

IN DETAIL In full: MoD statement on the Moray Firth crash

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