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Grief over cousins' plane deaths | Grief over cousins' plane deaths |
(40 minutes later) | |
The families of two schoolgirl cousins killed when two RAF aircraft collided have spoken of their "devastation". | |
Air cadets Katie-Jo Davies, 14, and Nikkita Walters, 13, pupils at the same school in Rhondda Cynon Taf, died near Porthcawl, south Wales. | |
Two pilots who also died on the "air experience" flights were Hylton Price, 63, from Bridgend, and Andrew Marsh, 24, of Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. | |
Police also called the rumoured theft of crash debris "disgraceful". | Police also called the rumoured theft of crash debris "disgraceful". |
It was not known whether the cousins, both from Gilfach Goch in Rhondda Cynon Taf, were at the controls when the collision took place. | It was not known whether the cousins, both from Gilfach Goch in Rhondda Cynon Taf, were at the controls when the collision took place. |
In a statement, their families said: "Words cannot describe how devastated we are by the loss of our girls. | In a statement, their families said: "Words cannot describe how devastated we are by the loss of our girls. |
"Nikkita and Katie-Jo were both much loved and will be so sorely missed. | "Nikkita and Katie-Jo were both much loved and will be so sorely missed. |
They will be sorely missed and never be forgotten Elaine Kebble, head teacher | They will be sorely missed and never be forgotten Elaine Kebble, head teacher |
"We are all grieving and would appeal for privacy at this time to come to terms with our loss. | "We are all grieving and would appeal for privacy at this time to come to terms with our loss. |
"We will not be making any further comment at this time. We need time alone to deal with what has happened." | "We will not be making any further comment at this time. We need time alone to deal with what has happened." |
South Wales Police assistant chief constable Colette Paul said she had heard rumours that people had stolen parts of the debris since Wednesday morning's crash. | South Wales Police assistant chief constable Colette Paul said she had heard rumours that people had stolen parts of the debris since Wednesday morning's crash. |
She said: "I think that would be disgraceful if that was the situation. I would arrest those individuals because I think that's disgraceful. | She said: "I think that would be disgraceful if that was the situation. I would arrest those individuals because I think that's disgraceful. |
"I've certainly heard rumours but nothing is confirmed." | "I've certainly heard rumours but nothing is confirmed." |
Tonyrefail Comprehensive School has paid tribute to the cousins who died | Tonyrefail Comprehensive School has paid tribute to the cousins who died |
The force is appealing for anyone who finds sections of the aircraft to contact them immediately. | The force is appealing for anyone who finds sections of the aircraft to contact them immediately. |
Emergency services are yet to recover the victims' bodies from the crash site. | Emergency services are yet to recover the victims' bodies from the crash site. |
It is not yet known when post-mortem examinations will take place. | It is not yet known when post-mortem examinations will take place. |
Gp Capt Andy Naismith said Flying Lieutenant Marsh was a serving officer, who was only promoted last week. | |
Flying Officer Price was a retired officer who was part of the RAF voluntary reserves. | Flying Officer Price was a retired officer who was part of the RAF voluntary reserves. |
"They were both extremely qualified for the task they were doing yesterday," said Gp Capt Naismith. | "They were both extremely qualified for the task they were doing yesterday," said Gp Capt Naismith. |
He could not comment on how the aircraft collided but said there were "very strict rules" to ensure planes did not fly too close together. | He could not comment on how the aircraft collided but said there were "very strict rules" to ensure planes did not fly too close together. |
He could not confirm if yesterday's flight was the girls' first. | He could not confirm if yesterday's flight was the girls' first. |
Describing the type of trip the cousins were on, he said: "The air experience flying we provide for these air cadets usually lasts 20-25 minutes. | Describing the type of trip the cousins were on, he said: "The air experience flying we provide for these air cadets usually lasts 20-25 minutes. |
"They typically take off from an airfield and fly around the local area to give them experience of being airborne." | "They typically take off from an airfield and fly around the local area to give them experience of being airborne." |
Wreckage and debris were strewn across half a mile near Porthcawl | Wreckage and debris were strewn across half a mile near Porthcawl |
Elaine Kebble, head teacher at their school, Tonyrefail Comprehensive, said: "Katie-Jo and Nikkita were bright, pleasant and valued members of our year nine group. | |
"It is with great regret and sadness that we have lost two young people who have always made such a valuable contribution to school and community life. | "It is with great regret and sadness that we have lost two young people who have always made such a valuable contribution to school and community life. |
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and friends at this very difficult time. They will be sorely missed and never be forgotten." | "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and friends at this very difficult time. They will be sorely missed and never be forgotten." |
Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader Russell Roberts, who is a governor at the school, said: "We were shocked and saddened to hear of this devastating tragedy and our deepest sympathies and thoughts at this time are with the friends and family of the two children. | Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader Russell Roberts, who is a governor at the school, said: "We were shocked and saddened to hear of this devastating tragedy and our deepest sympathies and thoughts at this time are with the friends and family of the two children. |
"Support will be made available via the school for friends and family members of the children. | "Support will be made available via the school for friends and family members of the children. |
"Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and I know that the entire community is deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy." | "Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and I know that the entire community is deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy." |
The two Grob trainer aircraft had taken off from RAF St Athan, about 20 miles (32km) from the crash scene. | The two Grob trainer aircraft had taken off from RAF St Athan, about 20 miles (32km) from the crash scene. |
There are three separate investigations into the incident - one by the police, another by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and an RAF board of inquiry. | There are three separate investigations into the incident - one by the police, another by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and an RAF board of inquiry. |
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has discovered debris should contact South Wales Police on 01656 306102 or 01656 306103. | Anyone who witnessed the incident or has discovered debris should contact South Wales Police on 01656 306102 or 01656 306103. |