Tributes paid to 29 victims of RAF Chinook crash on 30th anniversary of disaster

Commemorative services have been held to mark the 30th anniversary of an RAF Chinook helicopter crash that resulted in the death of 29 people.

The helicopter carrying leading security personnel crashed on the Mull of Kintyre peninsula on the west coast of Scotland on 2 June 1994.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered at Southend Parish Church for a service to honour their memory, while members of 38 (Irish) Brigade hosted a commemorative service at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.

The Chinook was on its way from RAF Aldergrove near Belfast to a security conference in Inverness when it crashed into a hillside in thick fog.

The incident has been referred to as the worst RAF peacetime disaster, with the reasons for the crash remaining unclear.

The two pilots, Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook, were initially accused of gross negligence over the crash, but a review of the incident in 2011 found the pair should not have been blamed.

The 38 (Irish) Brigade was joined by members of the Intelligence Corps Association, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation at the service.

Members of the Army in Northern Ireland were also able to pay their respects to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families.

'Extraordinary people'

Rev Roddy McNidder, who was the parish minister at the time of the crash, delivered the sermon in Southend and described the 25 passengers and four crew who died as "extraordinary people who were selflessly devoted to duty in the service of their country".

"The beautiful and lovingly built cairn that stands on the Mull in remembrance of the great sadness of the 2 June 1994 honours loved ones, named there, their families and friends.

"Each name inscribed on this cairn and which shines out every time the sun reflects upon it, calls us to remember the unique person whose name is written there, and to acknowledge our memories, experiences and encounters with them, along with the hopes of what might have been over these 30 years, and years still to come.

"They were all extraordinary people and of their time, working without fear or favour in a divided community to ensure a lasting peace for their fellow countrymen and women."

Rev McNidder added: "They were utterly devoted to the truly onerous obligations and responsibilities of their work.

"To them, it was a solemn trust which they honoured with dedication, integrity and very great courage and motivated by a determination to serve and protect the community. They served the cause of peace for which they gave their lives.

"They displayed selfless courage, outstanding commitment and devotion to duty in the service of their country, and particularly to the community in the province."

Answers about the crash and their loved ones are still being sought by the group Chinook Justice Campaign which was formed from 16 bereaved families.

A special act of remembrance was also being held at the memorial cairn at the crash site.