Helicopter crash victims named

Last Modified: 30 May 2008
Source: ITN

Two men killed in an Army helicopter crash have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Lieutenant Mark Reynolds, Army Air Corps and Warrant Officer Class 2 Vince Hussell of 2 (Training) Regiment Army Air Corps died after the training helicopter came down in fields near the village of Kingscott, near Torrington, North Devon at around 3.45pm on Thursday.

Investigators are examining reports that the HT1 Squirrel aircraft hit power lines.

The helicopter was from 670 Army Air Corps Squadron, based at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "Lt Reynolds was a student and WO Hussell was his instructor on the Army Pilots' Course at Middle Wallop.

"They were flying on the final exercise of the course that takes place in the South West of England. During one of their training sorties their aircraft crashed."

The statement continued: "Their deaths come as an incredible shock to friends and colleagues, and they will be deeply missed by their comrades at Middle Wallop and the wider Army Air Corps."

Lt Reynolds was 24 years old and from Aslockton near Nottingham.

He had completed an attachment to the 1st Queens Dragoon Guards as a Troop Leader, which included an Operational tour in Iraq.

WO Hussell, 36, from Marton-le-Moor near Ripon, was a veteran pilot with over 2000 hours experience. He was married with three sons.

WO Hussell gained his Army Pilots' Wings on 11 Dec 98 as a Corporal and gained his first operational experience in Northern Ireland.

He had served in Germany and UK and recently joined the Regiment as a Helicopter Instructor following two successful operational flying tours in Afghanistan where he flew the Apache Attack Helicopter.

His widow, Liz Hussell, said: "This tragedy has come as a deep shock and devastating blow not only to us, his family, but to his wider family and friends. Vince was a loving husband and father devoted to his family."

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