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| Helicopter crash: 'No warning' before Pave Hawk came down | Helicopter crash: 'No warning' before Pave Hawk came down |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| No warning or May Day message was made from a helicopter before it crashed, killing all four crew members, a US Air Force Commander has said. | No warning or May Day message was made from a helicopter before it crashed, killing all four crew members, a US Air Force Commander has said. |
| Capt Christopher Stover, Capt Sean Ruane, Technical Sgt Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt Afton Ponce died in the crash in Cley next the Sea, north Norfolk. | Capt Christopher Stover, Capt Sean Ruane, Technical Sgt Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt Afton Ponce died in the crash in Cley next the Sea, north Norfolk. |
| The HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, came down on Tuesday. | The HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, came down on Tuesday. |
| The crew members' bodies are being recovered from the crash site. | The crew members' bodies are being recovered from the crash site. |
| The Pave Hawk was armed with 600 .50-calibre bullets and a 9mm side-arm with 15 bullets, which were scattered across an area the size of a football pitch. | |
| 'Limited flight operations' | 'Limited flight operations' |
| It was on a low-level night training mission, which Col Kyle Robinson, Commander of 48th Wing described as a routine flight. | It was on a low-level night training mission, which Col Kyle Robinson, Commander of 48th Wing described as a routine flight. |
| "No warning was received about problems with the helicopter," he said. | "No warning was received about problems with the helicopter," he said. |
| "Yesterday, we did not fly across the whole 48 Fighter wing, showing our support and condolences for the members of the D6 rescue squadron. | "Yesterday, we did not fly across the whole 48 Fighter wing, showing our support and condolences for the members of the D6 rescue squadron. |
| "We will start some limited flight operations today as we continue forward." | "We will start some limited flight operations today as we continue forward." |
| He added that it was "still too early to speculate as what caused the crash and make all long-term decisions based on that". | He added that it was "still too early to speculate as what caused the crash and make all long-term decisions based on that". |
| Captains Stover and Ruane were pilots, while Tech Sgt Mathews and SSgt Ponce were acting as special mission aviators. | Captains Stover and Ruane were pilots, while Tech Sgt Mathews and SSgt Ponce were acting as special mission aviators. |
| Col Robinson said they were "flying to a gunnery range in Holbeach [Lincolnshire], and used that frequently for training". | Col Robinson said they were "flying to a gunnery range in Holbeach [Lincolnshire], and used that frequently for training". |
| 'Dignified and respectful' | 'Dignified and respectful' |
| He said the crew, who were members of the 56th rescue squadron, had been in the air force "anywhere from a couple of years to upwards of 16 to 17 years". | He said the crew, who were members of the 56th rescue squadron, had been in the air force "anywhere from a couple of years to upwards of 16 to 17 years". |
| "As you would imagine, with most crews, there is a range of experience levels and in general, you have some of the more experienced people [who] will fly with some of the less experienced people and this crew is no different. | "As you would imagine, with most crews, there is a range of experience levels and in general, you have some of the more experienced people [who] will fly with some of the less experienced people and this crew is no different. |
| "They are all highly qualified in what they did and capable." | "They are all highly qualified in what they did and capable." |
| Police, air accident, RAF and US investigators have spent the last two days at the scene of the crash. | |
| The USAF, supported by the Ministry of Defence, will lead the continuing investigation into the circumstances of the crash, with Norfolk Police handing over their inquiry. | |
| A 400-metre police cordon is expected to remain in place at the scene until Monday and the public have been asked to stay away. | A 400-metre police cordon is expected to remain in place at the scene until Monday and the public have been asked to stay away. |
| Speaking to media at 11:30 GMT, Norfolk Police Chief Supt Bob Scully said: "The dignified and appropriate removal of the bodies at the scene is taking place as we speak. | Speaking to media at 11:30 GMT, Norfolk Police Chief Supt Bob Scully said: "The dignified and appropriate removal of the bodies at the scene is taking place as we speak. |
| "It's being carried out by US Air Force officers and staff under the supervision of Her Majesty's Coroner." | "It's being carried out by US Air Force officers and staff under the supervision of Her Majesty's Coroner." |
| He said it was "taking as long as it takes" but he hoped it would be completed on Thursday. | He said it was "taking as long as it takes" but he hoped it would be completed on Thursday. |
| "It's been a real sadness that we've not be able to recover the bodies sooner. It's a very difficult investigation, on very difficult terrain." | "It's been a real sadness that we've not be able to recover the bodies sooner. It's a very difficult investigation, on very difficult terrain." |
| He added that the recovery of the wreckage and munitions, and "making good any environmental damage caused by the crash" would take several weeks. | He added that the recovery of the wreckage and munitions, and "making good any environmental damage caused by the crash" would take several weeks. |
| The bodies are to be taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. | The bodies are to be taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. |
| Norfolk Coroner Jacqueline Lake said she would not be carrying out an investigation into the deaths because the airmen had a "relevant association with a visiting force" under the Visiting Forces Act 1952 and Coroners and Justice Act 2009. | |
| Col Robinson added that had been a "tragic, sudden loss". | Col Robinson added that had been a "tragic, sudden loss". |
| "The Liberty Wing feels as though it has lost members of its family, and we stand by to support one another and these airmen's families during this difficult time." | "The Liberty Wing feels as though it has lost members of its family, and we stand by to support one another and these airmen's families during this difficult time." |