Crash dead remains return delayed

The Hercules has a reputation for reliability

Relatives of 10 servicemen killed when an RAF Hercules crashed in Iraq may have to wait until next week for their remains to be flown home, the MoD said.

Nine airmen and a soldier died in the crash 20 miles north-west of Baghdad, but no cause has yet been found.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman in Basra said work was still being done to "ascertain if we have recovered bodies, or remains of those who were killed".

It meant it was not yet known repatriation would be before next week.

"We hope it will be as soon as possible to help the families of the men," the MoD spokesman added.

The crash was the single largest loss of British life in Iraq since military action began in 2003.

Routine flight

The transport plane was said by officials to be on a routine flight from Baghdad to the massive US base at Balad.

There has been speculation that the plane might have been the victim of "hostile action".

Investigators examining the site where the RAF Hercules crashed have now finished their search.

But the MoD said on Thursday it was "continuing to investigate the full circumstances" of the incident.

It is understood that only partial remains of the dead have been discovered and it is likely that DNA testing will take place to aid identification.

Military officials said the bodies will be flown from northern Iraq to British headquarters in Basra over the next few days.

Service for victims

Those killed included eight crew from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, another RAF serviceman and one soldier.

The Lyneham crew members were Flt Lt David Stead, 35, Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, and Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38. Cpl David Williams, 37, was also from Lyneham and also on board.

The ninth RAF man on board, Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, was from Strike Command Headquarters, at RAF High Wycombe.

Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, was a soldier serving with the Royal Signals and a crew member on the Hercules.

Before an aircraft carries them back to the UK, troops will hold a service on the tarmac at Basra International Airport.

A further service will be held for the families of the dead at RAF Lyneham, said the MoD.

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