Two RAF crew killed in jet crash

Two RAF crew died today when their Tornado fighter jet crashed near a Scottish beauty spot, Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed.

A major search was launched after the jet ploughed into a hill near Arrochar, Argyll.

An MoD spokesman said: “It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of two RAF air crew from 43 Squadron, RAF Leuchars, in a Tornado F3 crash today.

“The aircraft crashed during a routine training flight at 11.45am at Glen Kinglas in Argyll.

“The next of kin have been informed and have requested a period of 24 hours' grace before further details are released.”

“The crash is being investigated at the moment.

“There will be a service inquiry held by the RAF.”

The crash happened at 11.45am close to the Rest And Be Thankful tourist spot near the village of Arrochar, west of Loch Lomond.

Search and rescue helicopters were scrambled to search the remote countryside for the wreckage and the crew.

No civilians are thought to have been hurt in the accident.

Air accident investigators will also be attending in a bid to establish the cause of the crash.

Witnesses said planes appeared to have been flying much lower than usual today. Weather in the area at the time was said to be overcast with thick cloud.

The F3 came into service with the RAF in the 1980s.

The pilot in the front seat flies the aircraft, while the rear seat weapons systems officer controls the radar and defensive countermeasures systems.

The Rest And Be Thankful is a pass and road junction between Loch Long and Loch Fyne.

It takes its name from the inscription on a rough stone bench at its 860ft summit.