STATEMENT BY THE STATION COMMANDER RAF SHAWBURY
– GROUP CAPTAIN PAUL CUNNINGHAM BSc RAF
FOLLOWING MY ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY. I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE CRASH SITE HAS BEEN SECURED AND A BOARD OF INQUIRY SET UP TO INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE TWO SQUIRREL AIRCRAFT AT RAF TERN HILL.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL VISIT THE SITE AND BE BRIEFED BY THE ACCIDENT RECOVERY OFFICER. ONCE ALL THE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN REVIEWED, THE BOARD OF INQUIRY WILL REPORT THEIR FINDINGS ON THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE WILL PUBLISH THESE IN DUE COURSE.
SADLY MR JOHN GARNONS-WILLIAMS, A CIVILIAN PILOT EMPLOYED BY F B HELI-SERVICES, DIED IN THE CRASH AND OUR CONDOLENCES ARE WITH HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AT THIS TIME. OUR SUPPORT IS ALSO WITH THE OTHER PILOTS INVOLVED (1 ROYAL NAVY AND 2 RAF) AND THEIR FAMILIES AND WE WISH THEM A SPEEDY RECOVERY.
WE ALSO THANK THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE AIR AMBULANCE FOR THEIR RAPID RESPONSE AND PROFESSIONALISM IN SUPPORT OF RESCUE OPERATIONS.
110800 JAN 07