Two Missing After RAF Tornado Jets Crash - Sky News

Two aircrew are missing after two Tornado jets crashed off the north coast of Scotland, the Ministry of Defence said.

Four personnel from RAF Lossiemouth were involved in the incident in the Moray Firth.

A rescue helicopter picked up two people who were taken to hospital in Inverness, where their condition has not been confirmed.

Group Captain Ian Gale, the station commander, said: "It is with great regret that I must confirm the loss of two Tornado GR4 aircraft, from this station, in an incident.

"The circumstances remain uncertain but clearly this is a very serious incident.

"Two individuals have been recovered to hospital and two remain unaccounted for.

"The thoughts of everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved. 

"As I'm sure you will understand, this is an evolving situation and, as such, I am not prepared to comment at this time on their condition or speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident.

"Rescue operations are continuing and I would like to record my gratitude for the ongoing efforts of all those involved."

Lifeboats from Wick, Invergordon and Buckie were sent out towards the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway.

Two Tornado GR4s were involved (file image)

An investigation into the crash is underway.

RAF Lossiemouth is home to three squadrons of Tornado GR4s.

The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft capable of assuming a variety of attack roles and reaching a maximum altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m).

Tornado aircraft have been involved in crashes in Scotland in recent years.

In January last year, two RAF crew were rescued after their Tornado GR4 jet came down in the sea off the west coast of Scotland.

The crew, from RAF Lossiemouth, ejected from the plane before it landed in the waters at Loch Ewe, near Gairloch, Wester Ross.

In July 2009, an RAF pilot and navigator were killed when their Tornado jet crashed into a hillside in Argyll.

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson, 27, and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton, 43, died in the crash near the village of Arrochar.

The aircraft was a RAF Leuchars-based Tornado F3 on a routine flight.