2007 Puma Crash, Enquiry and Inquest (Merged)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
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To the young mans family, Private Sean Tait of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
I promise you that even in two months of service, your son had encountered more camaraderie than ever in his life. He was serving his country and he loved what he was doing, I write to you as an ex serviceman with a son of a similar age. I used to be a pilot on the aircraft type that your son so sadley lost his life on. Rest assured the crew were the best trained in the business, I and hundreds of others join you in mourning the loss of your son, as we mourn the Death of the Captain and the Crewman so much. We cannot console you, so I will not, but I assure you that I still try to find a way to bring you and your family some peace through my prayers. My thoughts are with you
I can only offer you my support as a young man from Glasgow (South) who tried to choose a simiilar path
I promise you that even in two months of service, your son had encountered more camaraderie than ever in his life. He was serving his country and he loved what he was doing, I write to you as an ex serviceman with a son of a similar age. I used to be a pilot on the aircraft type that your son so sadley lost his life on. Rest assured the crew were the best trained in the business, I and hundreds of others join you in mourning the loss of your son, as we mourn the Death of the Captain and the Crewman so much. We cannot console you, so I will not, but I assure you that I still try to find a way to bring you and your family some peace through my prayers. My thoughts are with you
I can only offer you my support as a young man from Glasgow (South) who tried to choose a simiilar path
Last edited by Tigs2; 11th Aug 2007 at 23:38.
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Taff Burfoot, RIP
I had the pleasure of being Taff's instructor at Shawbs, and a mate to boot. A better guy you couldnt wish to know.
The last time I saw him was over several beers in Wallingford and he was in fine form. Thats how I will remember him.
His leaving us is a huge loss for everyone whose life he touched. My sincere condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace Mate.
The last time I saw him was over several beers in Wallingford and he was in fine form. Thats how I will remember him.
His leaving us is a huge loss for everyone whose life he touched. My sincere condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace Mate.
deepest respects to all
A very respectful post Tigs2, I salute you all - mil' personnel past & present, top people one & all, to the end.
Deepest respects to family, colleagues & friends.
Deepest respects to family, colleagues & friends.
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This is an absolute disaster. The brave souls of the SH force and the Army, who sacrifice so much already, did not deserve this.
30 May 2003, I flew Dave Sale in my Jaguar.
13-15 July 2007 we were partying together at RIAT.
My last memory of him was him living life to the max (and beyond!) at the Herc party, life and soul that he was.
Rest in Peace, me old, although I'm willing to bet that you're taking the place by storm up there. Hope to relive some of our moments when I join you on the flipside.
I'd appreciate a PM with funeral details, as and when.
30 May 2003, I flew Dave Sale in my Jaguar.
13-15 July 2007 we were partying together at RIAT.
My last memory of him was him living life to the max (and beyond!) at the Herc party, life and soul that he was.
Rest in Peace, me old, although I'm willing to bet that you're taking the place by storm up there. Hope to relive some of our moments when I join you on the flipside.
I'd appreciate a PM with funeral details, as and when.
Join Date: May 2007
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For all those that do not already know Dave's funeral is to be held on Wednesday 22nd of August @ 12pm at Norton Parish Church, on the green in Norton, near to his parents, followed by a cremation at Teeside Crematorium and a wake at Norton Hockey Club on Station Road, Norton....family flowers only please, all donations in Lieu if desired to the RAF Benevolent fund C/o Crake & Mallon, Funeral Service, 45 Norton Road, Stockton, TS18 2BU.
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Dave Sale
Shocked is the only way to put it. Shows just how fragile life is. Went through Shawbs with Dave and a person more ready to go out of his way to help his mates you will never find. The tribute to him on the RAf homepage is very fitting. RIP mate and have a beer waiting for me!
Your Navy Pal.
Your Navy Pal.
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Dave and Taff,
I still can't believe that I'm never going to see either of you again, the whole thing just doesn't seem real. 33, Benson and the world at large are sadder places with your passing. We had a few drinks for you on Thurs out in theatre, and we will have a lot more in the coming weeks.
Words just can't do my feelings at the moment justice - love to you both and I'll see you on the flip side. Save a space at the table.
JJJ
PS - For all those who knew Dave, his Facebook wall is still open and I know that the family are reading the messages. Further confirmation of what a tragic loss this is.
I still can't believe that I'm never going to see either of you again, the whole thing just doesn't seem real. 33, Benson and the world at large are sadder places with your passing. We had a few drinks for you on Thurs out in theatre, and we will have a lot more in the coming weeks.
Words just can't do my feelings at the moment justice - love to you both and I'll see you on the flip side. Save a space at the table.
JJJ
PS - For all those who knew Dave, his Facebook wall is still open and I know that the family are reading the messages. Further confirmation of what a tragic loss this is.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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"Lifted" this from a press cuttings service. From the Daily Mail:
Police launch criminal probe into fatal RAF crash
POLICE were last night callled In
to take over the investigation of
last week's RAF helicopter crash
which killed three servicemen.
The Air Force had launched its
own inquiry, but the probe has
now been halted by senior military
officers.
They have asked local police to
take the lead and investigate
potential criminal offences. The
Puma transport helicopter
came down outside Catterick
garrison in North Yorkshire last
Wednesday during a low-level
training flight.
Sources close to the inquiry
say detectives would be looking
at whether the helicopter was
being flown dangerously fast as
it came in to land.
The helicopter's pilot, 28-yearold
Flight Lieutenant David Sale,
and crewman Sergeant Phillip
Burfoot, 27, died In the crash.
Army recruit Sean Talt, 17, from
Glasgow, died later from his
injures. He had joined up just
four weeks earlier.
Eight other personnel were
injured, three seriously. The soldiers
are thought to have been
from the Royal Regiment of
Scotland.
Police launch criminal probe into fatal RAF crash
POLICE were last night callled In
to take over the investigation of
last week's RAF helicopter crash
which killed three servicemen.
The Air Force had launched its
own inquiry, but the probe has
now been halted by senior military
officers.
They have asked local police to
take the lead and investigate
potential criminal offences. The
Puma transport helicopter
came down outside Catterick
garrison in North Yorkshire last
Wednesday during a low-level
training flight.
Sources close to the inquiry
say detectives would be looking
at whether the helicopter was
being flown dangerously fast as
it came in to land.
The helicopter's pilot, 28-yearold
Flight Lieutenant David Sale,
and crewman Sergeant Phillip
Burfoot, 27, died In the crash.
Army recruit Sean Talt, 17, from
Glasgow, died later from his
injures. He had joined up just
four weeks earlier.
Eight other personnel were
injured, three seriously. The soldiers
are thought to have been
from the Royal Regiment of
Scotland.
More bang for your buck
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From MOD web site
No mention of criminal activities, but cant imagine why they would be investigating unless there was a suspicion of something untoward, but as for "a source close to the enquiry" I think it means "I don't know anything so I'll just make it up"
Following an initial investigation by the Board of Inquiry, the Convening Authority has decided that the Board of Inquiry should be suspended at this stage pending further investigation by the North Yorkshire civilian police authorities, which we will fully support.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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From MOD website:
Police investigation into Puma helicopter crash15/08/2007A Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry was convened at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, to investigate the circumstances of a Puma helicopter crash that occurred at Catterick Garrison on 8 August 2007.
Following an initial investigation by the Board of Inquiry, the Convening Authority has decided that the Board of Inquiry should be suspended at this stage pending further investigation by the North Yorkshire civilian police authorities, which we will fully support.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Puma Helicopter from 33 Squadron, RAF Benson. 12 personnel were on board, three from the RAF and nine from the Army. Three personnel were killed; Flight Lieutenant David Oxer Hanson Sale and Sergeant Phillip Anthony Burfoot, both from the Royal Air Force, and Private Sean Tait of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Police investigation into Puma helicopter crash15/08/2007A Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry was convened at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, to investigate the circumstances of a Puma helicopter crash that occurred at Catterick Garrison on 8 August 2007.
Following an initial investigation by the Board of Inquiry, the Convening Authority has decided that the Board of Inquiry should be suspended at this stage pending further investigation by the North Yorkshire civilian police authorities, which we will fully support.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Puma Helicopter from 33 Squadron, RAF Benson. 12 personnel were on board, three from the RAF and nine from the Army. Three personnel were killed; Flight Lieutenant David Oxer Hanson Sale and Sergeant Phillip Anthony Burfoot, both from the Royal Air Force, and Private Sean Tait of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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GG - You couldn't make it up
Can anyone explain if there are any circumstances where a professional BOI should give way in an accident investigation to police investigators. Surely its logical that when the pro's figure out the cause the police can act if necessary, or at the very least a parallel investigation ?
Can anyone explain if there are any circumstances where a professional BOI should give way in an accident investigation to police investigators. Surely its logical that when the pro's figure out the cause the police can act if necessary, or at the very least a parallel investigation ?
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rmac
The simple answer is every occasion. When a police investigation has been initiated (in this case because there was a death (3 deaths)) a BOI has to be suspended. Moreover, if the BOI discovers anything that could lead to a criminal investigation then the Board's president is obliged to suspend the Board and report the matter to the relevant police authorities. The key issue revolve around Police primacy and the fact that evidence taken by a BoI is not taken in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and, therefore, inadmissable in a court of law.
Parrallel investigations are not permitted as there is a possibility that a BoI could predjudice an ongoing police investigation. The last BoI into a fatality (not an aircraft crash) that I sat on was suspended for nearly 2 years while police investigated and the CPS decided on wether to press charges (they did not).
There is nothing suspicious about what has been reported here. The Police are mandated to investigate any sudden death (hence the closure of motorways following a fatal accident because the area is automatically a crime scene). The investigation will first ascertain if there is the potential for a criminal act; if there is not then the scene will be handed back to the military. This is the normal course of events for post crash management.
Can anyone explain if there are any circumstances where a professional BOI should give way in an accident investigation to police investigators.
Parrallel investigations are not permitted as there is a possibility that a BoI could predjudice an ongoing police investigation. The last BoI into a fatality (not an aircraft crash) that I sat on was suspended for nearly 2 years while police investigated and the CPS decided on wether to press charges (they did not).
There is nothing suspicious about what has been reported here. The Police are mandated to investigate any sudden death (hence the closure of motorways following a fatal accident because the area is automatically a crime scene). The investigation will first ascertain if there is the potential for a criminal act; if there is not then the scene will be handed back to the military. This is the normal course of events for post crash management.
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Just heard the tragic news today as I'm over in the states. Totally shocked and amazed at this news. I remember Dave fondly from my days at St. Aidan's College, Durham Uni. Great bloke and such a character, life and sole of the party!
RIP mate
RIP mate