RAF helicopter crash victims named

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The aircraft's captain, Flight Lieutenant David Sale, and crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot died when the Puma helicopter they were in crashed in North Yorkshire at around 9pm on Wednesday.

Both men came from 33 Squadron based at Royal Air Force Benson in Oxfordshire.

Group Captain Paul Lyall, Station Commander at RAF Benson, said: "Words cannot adequately express our grief at their loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this time."

Eight other RAF crew and Army personnel on board are being treated in hospitals across the North East, including two who were seriously injured.

Accident investigators have been scouring the crash site - a grassy field to the west of Catterick Garrison, near Hudswell Grange, and close to Army training grounds.

The RAF is not speculating on the cause of the crash but eye-witnesses reported the aircraft "misfiring" before turning on its side and dropping "like a sack of potatoes".

The bodies have been removed from the wreckage of the aircraft which could be seen lying in three parts inside the 3km police cordon.

The family of 27-year-old Sergeant Burfoot have paid tribute to him, saying he will be "deeply missed".

Speaking from their home in the Cardiff suburb of Penylan, they said: "Phillip loved the active lifestyle and opportunities given to him whilst serving in the RAF. During his time in service he made many friends throughout the country but what meant most to him was the camaraderie with his fellow servicemen."