Inquest hears last message from downed plane

THE last desperate radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq was heard at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board yesterday.

Lance Corporal Steven Jones, a passenger on the plane, radioed in “no duff no duff, we are on fire, we are on fire,” before all communication was lost, the inquest was told.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters, giving his opening address at Trowbridge Town Hall, said: “This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War.”