Ireland

Snowdonia helicopter crash recovery hampered by 'treacherous site' and bad weather

Ruth Burke and Kevin Burke have been named locally as two of the crash victims 
Ruth Burke and Kevin Burke have been named locally as two of the crash victims  Ruth Burke and Kevin Burke have been named locally as two of the crash victims 

Specialist teams are being hampered by the weather as they work to recover the bodies of five family members who died when their helicopter crashed in Snowdonia.

North Wales Police said the crash site is "remote and treacherous" and that more than 80 rescue workers and investigators are currently involved.

Feared to be among the dead are Kevin and Ruth Burke, from Hulcote near Milton Keynes - close to where the helicopter took off on Wednesday.

They were travelling to Dublin, where Mrs Burke was born, to a family christening.

The other victims have been named in reports as Mr Burke's two brothers and sister-in-law, Barry, Donald and Sharon.

Police said the victims were adult members of the "same extended family".

Their bodies were found with the wreckage of the helicopter in the Rhinog mountains near Trawsfynydd on Thursday, following a major search which began on Wednesday when the privately-owned Twin Squirrel aircraft failed to arrive in Dublin.

A recovery operation was suspended overnight due to the weather conditions, but despite recommencing on Friday, police have said the elements and terrain are still hampering efforts.

Chief Inspector Richie Green, of North Wales Police, said the crash site is "remote and treacherous", with access only possible on foot and that the scene is approximately two hours' walk over "challenging terrain" from the "last discernible road".

"The site itself, and access to it, is precarious, on a steep slope and covered in heather, lichen and moss which, after the recent heavy rain, is making just standing upright difficult," he said.

"At over 700m above sea level, just getting to the site involves a degree of 'scrambling'.

"Weather is unfortunately worsening, making the task of getting both personnel and their equipment there alone very difficult and potentially dangerous."

He said the force and mountain rescue teams are "utterly determined and focused in recovering all those lost".

"This process, even in perfect conditions, is still delicate and methodical as we search for any evidence that could help explain the cause of the crash," he added.

"Over 80 personnel from local and RAF mountain rescue teams, Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigators, HM Coastguard and police are involved and, at this time, the safe, sensitive and prompt recovery of all those lost is our priority."

A joint investigation led by the AAIB is now under way, with a "large team of inspectors" gathering evidence on site, according to an AAIB spokesman.

He added: "Typically, they would be up there for two to three days depending on the conditions, and then typically we would recover the wreckage and bring it back to our facility in Farnborough for more detailed examination and investigation."

Dewi Pritchard Jones, senior coroner for North West Wales, also told the Press Association that a coroner's investigation to determine the causes and circumstances of death has been opened.

The three brothers were the sons of an Irish couple who emigrated to Britain, according to the Irish Independent.

The paper said the victims were on their way to a family confirmation service when the helicopter crashed.

Mr and Mrs Burke, directors of Staske Construction, owned a Twin Squirrel.

Model Danielle Lloyd paid tribute to two of the victims on Instagram.

She wrote: "Such sad news about Ruth and Kevin Burke they were two of the nicest people I've ever had the privilege to meet and my thoughts and prayers are with all the family."

The victims have not been formally identified but their families are being supported by specialist officers from Thames Valley Police.

A temporary exclusion zone over the crash site, to a height of 5,500ft (1,676m) above sea level and a five nautical-mile radius, remains in place.

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw the aircraft flying over Snowdonia between 12pm and 1pm on Wednesday to contact the force by calling 101.