Probe as RAF Tornado crash kills two

Inquiry launched after fighter jet smashes into hillside

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SEARCH: Mountain rescue team members sift through the wreckage of the crashed RAF Tornado jet.

ON GUARD: Police guard the site of the RAF jet crash.

INQUIRY: An RAF Tornado fighter jet crashed, killing two airmen.

THE RAF was mourning the loss of two air crew today after their Tornado fighter jet crashed near a beauty spot.

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

It crashed during a routine training flight at Glen Kinglas.

An MoD spokesman confirmed the deaths of two air crew from 43 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars near St Andrews.

He said: “The jet crash is being investigated at the moment.

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

The jet crash happened close to the Rest And Be Thankful tourist spot on the A83, west of Loch Lomond.

Search and rescue helicopters from the HMS Gannett naval base and RAF Lossiemouth were scrambled to search for wreckage.

Investigations were continuing today in a bid to establish the cause of the jet crash.

Witnesses said planes appeared to have been flying much lower than usual.

Witness Andy Graham, 60, said: “We get jets flying over here on training exercises quite regularly.

“It’s not unusual to see them and you definitely hear them.

“But they seemed to be flying much lower than normal.”