Up to four feared dead in air crash

12 April 2012

Up to four people are believed to have died in a mid-air collision near a nature reserve.

The two light aircraft crashed over Porthcawl, South Wales, just before 11am. At least one of them is from the RAF.

The crash site, near Kenfig Nature Reserve, is less than a mile from the M4 motorway and a mainline railway line.

The two aircraft were from the flight training school based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire and police said a total of four people are believed to have died.

Tim Jones, divisional commander for Bridgend Police, said: "Shortly before 11am we received reports that two light aircraft had come down on Kenfig Nature Reserve.

"There are believed to be a total of four fatalities. I hope you all understand at this time our priority is to talk to members of the family and next of kin and we are working together to support them at this most difficult time."

He said it was a complex response because of the nature of the scenes they were managing and that it would be a joint investigation between South Wales Police and the Air Accident Branch.

"Clearly, the scene is expansive and we will be needing to protect the scene tonight to maintain the integrity of the investigation and we would appeal to members of the public to avoid the area tonight."

Andy Naysmith, group captain in charge of RAF flight training at RAF Cranwell, said the two aircraft originated from there.

He said a service inquiry had been initiated and was being run in parallel with the police and air accident investigation. "We would like to learn what lessons we can from this tragic incident," he said.

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