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Grief over cousins' plane death | Grief over cousins' plane death |
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The family of two schoolgirl cousins killed when two light aircraft collided have spoken of their "devastation". | The family of two schoolgirl cousins killed when two light aircraft collided have spoken of their "devastation". |
Air cadets Nikkita Marie Walters, 13, and Katie-Jo Davies, 14, died on Wednesday near Porthcawl, Bridgend. | |
Two pilots taking the girls on an "air experience" flight also died and have been named as Hylton Price of Bridgend and Andrew Marsh of Vale of Glamorgan. | Two pilots taking the girls on an "air experience" flight also died and have been named as Hylton Price of Bridgend and Andrew Marsh of Vale of Glamorgan. |
The girls, both from Gilfach Goch in Rhondda Cynon Taf, attended nearby Tonyrefail Comprehensive School. | The girls, both from Gilfach Goch in Rhondda Cynon Taf, attended nearby Tonyrefail Comprehensive School. |
The school is expected to issue a statement later. | The school is expected to issue a statement later. |
In a statement, the 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. | |
"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's assistant chief constable Colette Paul gave a news conference on Thursday | |
South Wales Police assistant chief constable Colette Paul said she had heard rumours that people had stolen parts of the plane debris. | |
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." | |
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. | |
It is not yet known when post-mortem examinations will take place. | |
Gp Capt Andy Naismith said Flying Officer Marsh was a serving officer. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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." | |
The two Grob trainer aircraft had taken off from RAF St Athan, about 20 miles from the crash scene. | The two Grob trainer aircraft had taken off from RAF St Athan, about 20 miles 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. |