Two RAF Tornado jets discovered after fatal crash in North Sea

Traced: The fighter jets had been missing since Tuesday’s crash in the Moray Firth.© Crown Copyright

Two Tornado jets that crashed into the Moray Firth on Tuesday have been found, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

An exclusion zone has been put around the area, although the MoD is refusing to divulge exactly where the jets have been discovered.

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.

A fourth member of the squadron is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Royal Navy mine hunter HMS Cattistock is travelling from Portsmouth to the scene with imaging equipment and a remotely operated underwater vehicle. It is expected to arrive on Saturday and the recovery is expected to take place next week.

The RAF Lossiemouth ensign has been flying at half-mast to mark the tragedy and floral tributes have been left at the base.

Moray MP Angus Robertson said: “It is difficult to imagine the pain being felt by the families affected by the death of three airmen in the Moray Firth and the serious injury of a fourth. There is not a community in Moray where people do not know RAF personnel and a tragedy like this is felt very deeply.

“The three officers who have lost their lives will leave a huge gap for many people in both the military and civilian community in Moray.

"Our thoughts go out those affected and to the injured airman who has been rescued and remains in hospital at this time.”

The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft capable of delivering a variety of weapons and reaching a maximum altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m).

Related articles

People who read this story also read