Snowdonia tragedy
Businessman and wife ‘among five members of same family’ killed in helicopter crash en route to christening in Ireland
FIVE members of the same family have died in a helicopter crash in Snowdonia as rescue teams fought “atrocious” conditions yesterday to recover their bodies.
A major search of the area was launched on Wednesday afternoon when the privately-owned Twin Squirrel aircraft failed to arrive in Dublin.
Kevin and Ruth Burke, from Hulcote near Milton Keynes, were directors of Staske Construction – the registered owner of a Twin Squirrel - and are believed to have been on board the aircraft when it crashed.
The three other victims, all adults, were members of the Burke family and also from the Milton Keynes area, but have not yet been identified.
The family are believed to have been travelling from Milton Keynes to Dublin for a christening, the BBC reports.
But adverse weather meant the recovery of the victims’ bodies may have had to be halted.
Last night North Wales Police said it may have had to suspend the rescue effort overnight due to “worsening
weather conditions and the difficult and treacherous terrain in the area”.
An extensive search of the Irish Sea and Snowdonia was launched at about 4.15pm on Wednesday after the distress and diversion system lost radar contact with the aircraft.
Superintendant Gareth Evans told a press conference that the wreckage was discovered in a remote area with “hazardous” terrain.
He suggested the rugged terrain had hampered recovery efforts meaning some bodies may be left on the hillsides overnight.
Mr Evans said: “The aircraft, a red Twin Squirrel helicopter, had failed to arrive in Dublin from Luton on Wednesday afternoon instigating a full sea and then land search and rescue operation.
“Initially, its last known position was believed to be ‘over sea’ in the Caernarfon Bay area but this was then narrowed to a land-based search coordinated by North Wales Police in Snowdonia involving all local and RAF mountain rescue teams.
“Local conditions were described as atrocious with visibility down to less than 10 metres in places.”
The plane crashed in the Rhinog mountains between Harlech and Trawfynydd but the exact location has not been revealed.
Mr Evans said: “Owing to the nature and remoteness of the terrain, the poor weather conditions and the absolute need to carry out this delicate task with sensitivity and dignity, this may take some time.
“Their recovery is not just important to their families, but also the investigation as it may help identify any contributory factors.
“Formal identification is yet to take place and this may take some time.”
He added: “I’d like to reassure the families of the deceased and local communities that, together with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and our mountain rescue teams, and weather permitting, we will continue to work as long as it takes until they are all recovered and to this end I’d like to repeat my thanks to all those personnel involved for their professionalism and commitment.”
Rescue teams had worked through Wednesday night scouring the Snowdonia mountain range for the helicopter after it went missing.
Coastguards said data received meant the focus yesterday morning was “in and around” the Snowdonia National Park.
Seven mountain rescue teams and a dog search team were involved in the operation.
Mr Evans said the victims’ families were being supported by specialist officers from Thames Valley Police.
He said: “I’m sure you’ll appreciate this is an agonising time for the families and friends of all involved.
“Our thoughts are very much with them at this time.”
A full investigation into the cause of the crash is being led by the AAIB and a team of inspectors has been sent to the site.
The coroner for north west Wales, Dewi Pritchard-Jones, has been informed and has opened an investigation.
A family spokesperson told the Milton Keynes Citizen that “six children have lost their parents”.
They said: “At this stage the family wants to be left alone to be able to deal with their grief over this terrible loss and concentrate upon looking after the children.”
Neighbour Elizabeth Thornley, 24, told the Press Association that the couple had not lived at their home long and had been “doing up the house for about a year and a half”.
On what is thought to be her Facebook profile, Mrs Burke said she was originally from Dublin.
One Hulcote resident, who did not give his name, said Mr Burke was originally from Manchester, a pilot himself, and had a 14-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter.
Another neighbour, Richard Mann, said he and Mr Burke had both previously been Hulcote and Salford parish councillors.
He said: “Kevin, I think, is a very astute businessman, outgoing, hail fellow well met, always seemed very cheery.”
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said he had offered the Government’s support to the investigation.
He said: “The emergency services and the mountain rescue involved in the search, rescue and recovery operation have carried out their work in incredibly difficult conditions.
“I am grateful to them for their determination and dedication, and to those providing support to the families during what is a very difficult time.
“The recovery operation will be challenging.
“I ask that the investigating authorities be given the time and space necessary to undertake this important work.”
A temporary exclusion zone over the crash site with a height of 5,500 ft above sea level and a five nautical mile radius is currently in place.
An Airbus Helicopters spokesman told the Press Association: “Airbus Helicopters regrets to inform that it has received reports of a fatal AS355 accident in North Wales.
“As an Airbus Helicopter aircraft commonly known as a Twin Squirrel, the company is standing by to provide support as required and our thoughts are with the victims of the accident and their families.”
Police are appealing for information about the incident and are asking anyone who saw the helicopter flying over Snowdonia on Wednesday to call them on 101.