marktigger
12-22-2003, 08:32 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3341521.stm
2 British soldiers were killed yesterday in Londonderry when their Gazelle helecopter crashed onto a Rugby Pitch. No mayday was given.
May they rest in Peace.
My Deepest sympathies to their family and friends.
DeltaWhisky58
12-23-2003, 12:01 PM
From the Mod Website
http://news.mod.uk/news/press/news_headline_story.asp?newsItem_id=2749
Two Army Air Corps aircrew killed in helicopter accident
Published Tuesday 23rd December 2003
It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence has to confirm that Captain Andrew Nicoll and Sergeant Simon Bennett were killed when a Gazelle helicopter crashed in Londonderry on 22 December 2003.
Captain Nicoll, aged 27, was the pilot of the helicopter. Single, he came from Grantham in Lincolnshire and was a keen sportsman; in particular a distinguished canoeist. His co-pilot was Sergeant Bennett, aged 35, who was married with three children and came from Telford in Shropshire. Both men were serving with 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps, based at RAF Aldergrove.
The cause of the crash at the City of Derry Rugby Club is being investigated by an Air Accident Investigation Team. Group Captain Martin Sharp, RAF Aldergrove's Station Commander, said:
"This is a terrible loss for family, friends and colleagues, and our thoughts and prayers are with the relatives of both pilots. The tragedy has touched colleagues right across Northern Ireland."
Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Venn, the Commanding Officer of 5 Regiment AAC also paid tribute:
"The loss of these two fine young men is a great tragedy. Sergeant Simon Bennett, the aircraft commander, who had recently transferred to the Army Air Corps from the Welsh Guards, was a great character. He was a man of many talents, hugely popular within the Regiment, and above all, he was a family man who had been married for fifteen years.
"Captain Andy Nicoll, the pilot, was a cheerful, well-liked officer, who only finished his pilot training in July. A talented sportsman and world-class canoeist, he was shortly to depart for Australia to continue his training in preparation for the 2004 Olympics.
"Their loss has caused great sadness throughout the Regiment, and our thoughts and prayers are with both families, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy."
Requiescat In Pacem.
A sad news, but when I read the titular of this thread I was really sad because I supposed they "were" killed and peace was broken again in N.Ireland, now in some way I´m happy that it was only an accident and the peace remains firmly there.
marktigger
12-23-2003, 12:57 PM
http://www.utv.co.uk/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=n&id=40842
some coverage of the crash from Ulster Television.
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