04/07/2012

Tornado Crash Search And Rescue Moves Into Recovery Operation

A search for two missing air crew in the Moray Firth has now moved into a recovery operation, officials have confirmed.

The operation follows a mid-air collision of two Tornado GR4 jets from RAF Lossiemouth, in north east Scotland, on Tuesday afternoon.

Two of the four air crew involved were airlifted to hospital but there are no details on their condition. Searches had been made for the other two men but the Coastguard said the focus was now on recovery.

Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said: "The search and rescue phase of the mission was terminated at 7.04pm yesterday evening.

"We are now in a recovery phase.

"We stand by to assist the Ministry of Defence in any way that we can if required."

The Buckie lifeboat recovered wreckage from one of the aircraft, the location of the second is not yet known.

Police and the Coastguard have been patrolling shorelines and members of the public have been asked to report any other debris found.

(H/GK)

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