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Five family members die in Snowdonia helicopter crash Five family members die in Snowdonia helicopter crash
(35 minutes later)
Five people have been killed in a helicopter crash in north Wales. Five members of the same family have been killed in a helicopter crash in north Wales.
Two of those on board have been named locally as Kevin and Irish-born Ruth Burke from Hulcote, Milton Keynes. Two of those on board have been named locally as Kevin and Irish-born Ruth Burke from Hulcote, near Milton Keynes.
They were believed to have been travelling with three other family members to Dublin for a christening. They were believed to have been travelling to Dublin for a christening with three other family members.
A massive air and land search was launched on Wednesday afternoon when the aircraft vanished after leaving the Luton area.A massive air and land search was launched on Wednesday afternoon when the aircraft vanished after leaving the Luton area.
Kevin and Ruth Burke are believed to have been directors of the Staske Construction company - the registered owner of a Twin Squirrel helicopter. Kevin and Ruth Burke are believed to have been directors of the Milton Keynes-based Staske Construction company - the registered owner of a Twin Squirrel helicopter.
This was the model that vanished from radar contact while over Caernarfon Bay.This was the model that vanished from radar contact while over Caernarfon Bay.
It is believed Mr Burke was originally from Manchester and was a qualified pilot and Mrs Burke was from Dublin.It is believed Mr Burke was originally from Manchester and was a qualified pilot and Mrs Burke was from Dublin.
Supt Gareth Evans, of North Wales Police, said on Thursday the crash site was in the Rhinog mountains between Harlech and Trawsfynydd, and the bodies of all five people on board had been found. Supt Gareth Evans, of North Wales Police, said the crash site was in the Rhinog mountains between Harlech and Trawsfynydd, and the bodies of all five people on board had been found.
A mountain rescue team found the wreckage.A mountain rescue team found the wreckage.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch are now leading an investigation of the forensic recovery of the aircraft once specialist officers start recovery of the bodies.
But the police have said they might to suspend the recovery for the night due to worsening weather conditions and "treacherous terrain".
Police said they were not aware of any plan for the helicopter to stop in Caernarfon as part of its route.Police said they were not aware of any plan for the helicopter to stop in Caernarfon as part of its route.
Formal identification of the bodies has not yet taken place and the coroner for north west Wales, Dewi Pritchard-Jones, has opened an investigation.Formal identification of the bodies has not yet taken place and the coroner for north west Wales, Dewi Pritchard-Jones, has opened an investigation.
Police have not revealed the exact location of the crash as the bodies have not been recovered from the "remote and hazardous" terrain. An air exclusion zone is in place. Police have not revealed the exact location of the crash and have asked for members of the public to stay away from the site "to allow emergency services and personnel access". An air exclusion zone is also in place.
Family of those killed have been informed and an investigation into the crash is being led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch. "Their recovery is not just important to their families but also the investigation as it may help identify any contributory factors," added Supt Evans.
Initial searches followed the intended flight plan of the aircraft over the Irish Sea, but the Coastguard said on Thursday that inquiries had led them to switch their efforts to Snowdonia National Park. Family of those killed have been informed and the police have confirmed all five adults are "part of the same extended family from the Milton Keynes area".
Initial searches on Wednesday followed the intended flight plan of the aircraft over the Irish Sea.
But the Coastguard said on Thursday that inquiries led them to divert their efforts to Snowdonia National Park.
Prior to the crash site being discovered, UK Coastguard duty commander Mark Rodaway said: "These aircraft normally carry beacons that we can track by satellite - they're activated by salt water - we've not seen any of that and also mobile phone data has aided our inquiries in shifting inland."Prior to the crash site being discovered, UK Coastguard duty commander Mark Rodaway said: "These aircraft normally carry beacons that we can track by satellite - they're activated by salt water - we've not seen any of that and also mobile phone data has aided our inquiries in shifting inland."
Weather hampered the search for the aircraft - helicopter searches were called off due to low lying cloud and teams in Snowdonia had to work with visibility down to 10ft (3m) in some places.
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said the UK government would offer its full support to the investigation.Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said the UK government would offer its full support to the investigation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said it "stood by to offer consular assistance".The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said it "stood by to offer consular assistance".
The Eurocopter AS55 Ecureuil 2 (Twin Squirrel), made by Airbus, has a cruising speed of 140mph (225km/h) and a range of nearly 440 miles (700km).The Eurocopter AS55 Ecureuil 2 (Twin Squirrel), made by Airbus, has a cruising speed of 140mph (225km/h) and a range of nearly 440 miles (700km).