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UK Chinook 'did come under fire' UK Chinook 'did come under fire'
(about 1 hour later)
A British military helicopter was shot at before it caught fire and made an emergency landing, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.A British military helicopter was shot at before it caught fire and made an emergency landing, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The four men on board escaped injury and were rescued by another helicopter crew in southern Afghanistan.The four men on board escaped injury and were rescued by another helicopter crew in southern Afghanistan.
The MoD said it had not ruled out the possibility that the Chinook was brought down by Wednesday's attack.The MoD said it had not ruled out the possibility that the Chinook was brought down by Wednesday's attack.
The Ministry said the incident, which took place north of Sangin, was still under investigation.The Ministry said the incident, which took place north of Sangin, was still under investigation.
It said the crew, from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were forced to make a "heavy landing" because the helicopter's engine caught fire.It said the crew, from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were forced to make a "heavy landing" because the helicopter's engine caught fire.
The crew are believed to have been on a general security flight that was unrelated to yesterday's election.The crew are believed to have been on a general security flight that was unrelated to yesterday's election.
There was enemy fire at the time of the landing MoD spokesmanThere was enemy fire at the time of the landing MoD spokesman
The aircraft was deliberately destroyed by a coalition airstrike to keep it out of enemy hands.The aircraft was deliberately destroyed by a coalition airstrike to keep it out of enemy hands.
"The incident is under investigation. There was enemy fire at the time of the landing," a spokesman from the MoD said."The incident is under investigation. There was enemy fire at the time of the landing," a spokesman from the MoD said.
The Ministry said that in the short term other UK aircraft in the region, and those operated by Nato partners, would be able to cover the "helicopter lift requirement".The Ministry said that in the short term other UK aircraft in the region, and those operated by Nato partners, would be able to cover the "helicopter lift requirement".
"In the medium term, the UK's joint helicopter command is already planning the replacement of this airframe," it said."In the medium term, the UK's joint helicopter command is already planning the replacement of this airframe," it said.
Bodies returning homeBodies returning home
CHINOOK FACTS Aircrew: 4Max speed: 185mph [298 km/h]Length: 51ft [15.5m]Rotor span: 60ft [18.3m]Weight: 50,000lbs [22,680kg] max.Range: About 300 miles Sources: Boeing, RAF, GlobalSecurity.org More details
The bodies of four British servicemen killed in the Sangin area will be flown back to Britain today.The bodies of four British servicemen killed in the Sangin area will be flown back to Britain today.
All the men, who served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, were killed last weekend.All the men, who served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, were killed last weekend.
Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter were killed by an explosion trying to save Lance Corporal James Fullarton, who also died.Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter were killed by an explosion trying to save Lance Corporal James Fullarton, who also died.
Sergeant Simon Valentine was killed in a separate explosion.Sergeant Simon Valentine was killed in a separate explosion.
They will be flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire before their coffins are driven through nearby Wootton Bassett, where hundreds are expected to line the streets.They will be flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire before their coffins are driven through nearby Wootton Bassett, where hundreds are expected to line the streets.