Welsh pilot who died in Tornado jet crash in Moray Firth is laid to rest

Funeral: A service for Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole took place at Bangor Cathedral.ITV

The funeral of an RAF pilot who died in a Tornado jet crash off the Scottish coast has taken place in his native Wales.

Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, 28, was airlifted from the scene following the incident over the Moray Firth but later died of his injuries at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

He was buried at a private funeral on Wednesday, July 18, at the cathedral in his home city of Bangor. 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.

Flt Lt Hywel Poole

Flight Lieutenant Poole had transferred to RAF Lossiemouth in 2011 to train to be a Tornado pilot having previously spent time training as a fast jet pilot at RAF Valley.

Group Captain Ian Gale, RAF Lossiemouth station commander who spoke at the funeral, said: “He was a man who had a huge heart and compassion and consideration for everybody.

“Incidentally, he was a very talented and prize-winning pilot who was due to go to 617 Squadron The Dambusters only next month.”

Group Captain Gale added that the Lossiemouth base was still coming to terms with the tragedy.

He said: “There is no good time for anything like this to happen but to happen in training is particularly poignant.

“All of those involved were fantastic people who were doing what they loved and the whole station has felt the loss very keenly.”

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