Inquest into helicopter crash that killed five adjourned as investigation goes on

AN inquest into the deaths of five family members killed in a helicopter crash has been opened and adjourned.

Three brothers and two of their wives died in the crash in mountains in Snowdonia, north Wales, earlier this year.

Those killed were Kevin and Ruth Burke, aged 56 and 49, Donald and Sharon Burke aged 55 and 48, and Barry Burke (51).

The five, from a wealthy An- glo-Irish family, who lived in the Milton Keynes area, were on their way to Dublin on March 29 for a party following the confirmation of a young relative.

When their privately-owned aircraft failed to land in Ireland a major search was launched.

Their bodies were later found with the wreckage of the helicopter in the remote Rhinog mountains near Trawsfynydd, north Wales.

Previous reports suggested that the Airbus/EuroCopter — also known as a Twin Squirrel — was attempting to descend to avoid inclement weather when the tragedy occurred.

Yesterday, Dewi Pritchard Jones, senior coroner for north west Wales, formally opened and adjourned the inquest into their deaths at Caernarfon Coroner’s Court. No members of the Burke family were present for the 10-minute hearing.

The coroner said: “This is the helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday, March 29 this year. Most of you will have heard of it in the Press.

“Tragically they were all in a helicopter which crashed. All of the bodies have been identified and funerals have taken place.”

He said the Air Accidents Investigation Branch was conducting an inquiry into the cause of the crash and from experience of previous inquests involving aircraft accidents, their work and final report would take up to a year to complete.

He added: “The inquest into the deaths of these five people, all from the same family very tragically, is now adjourned and will remain adjourned until the AAIB report has been received.”

Kevin and Ruth Burke, from Hulcote near Milton Keynes, close to where the helicopter took off, were directors of Staske Construction, which owned a Twin Squirrel.

The three Burke brothers were the sons of Donal and Noeleen Burke —an Irish couple who emigrated to Britain. Donal was a member of the De Burca family from the Kilcummin area on the north Mayo coast. He passed away three years ago.