Inquest to open on gulf military helicopter collision deaths

A coroner is to hear evidence on six servicemen from a Cornwall air base who were killed when two helicopters collided on active service in the Gulf. A US serviceman was also on board one of the Sea King Mk 7 helicopters which collided in March 2003, five miles from HMS Ark Royal.

The Britons were based at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose, near Helston.

The hearing in Oxford is expected to hear such details as safety procedures, maintenance and training. The helicopters - part of the Royal Navy's 849 Squadron - had been undertaking surveillance work for British forces in the al-Faw peninsula.

The men who died were Lieutenants Philip Green, 30, from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire; Antony King, 35, from Helston; Philip West, 32, from Budock Water; James Williams, 28, from Falmouth, all Cornwall; Andrew Wilson, 36, from Exeter, Devon and Marc Lawrence, 26, from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. Also on board was 27-year-old Lt Thomas Mullen Adams, of the US Navy.

The squadron's commanding officer issued a statement saying: "The eyes of the fleet may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant. To our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten."

The hearing will be conducted by former High Court judge Sir Richard Curtis who is helping the Oxfordshire coroner expedite inquests caused by the fact that most of those killed in Iraq are repatriated to RAF Brize Norton.

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