Tributes paid at funeral of Tornado crash victim

By Angus Howarth
Published on 28/07/2012 02:36

A MOVING tribute has been paid to an airman killed when two Tornado fighter jets crashed in the Moray Firth.

A service was held at RAF Lossiemouth for Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, 27, one of three men from the base to have died in the tragedy on 3 July.

The private funeral service for Flt Lt Sanders, who grew up in Lancashire, was held at St Aidan’s Church within the Lossiemouth base.

His station commander, Group Captain Ian Gale, said: “Adam was a very good pilot and had a promising future.

“He was doing very well with his operation conversion course and he expected to join 617 Squadron Dambusters upon completion.

“He was a thoroughly nice young man, well thought of by all his friends and colleagues, ”

Moray MP Angus Robertson, the SNP’s defence spokesman, added: “My thoughts and condolences are with the family of Flt Lt Sanders at this sad time.

“Everyone in Moray has a 
connection with the RAF and this tragedy has been felt by the whole community.”

The £40million Tornado GR4 planes from XV (Reserve) Squadron crashed into the sea 25 miles south of Wick, Caithness.

The sole survivor remains in hospital after undergoing a specialist spinal operation.