Anniversary of Afghanistan crash marked

The first anniversary of an Afghanistan plane crash in which 14 British servicemen died has been marked by their relatives and colleagues.

Special prayers for the crew of the Nimrod XV230 were said at a church service at RAF Kinloss in Moray.

The plane came down 12 miles west of Kandahar on September 2 last year, killing 12 crew from RAF Kinloss's 120 Squadron.

A Royal Marine and an Army solder also died.

The crash was the biggest single loss of life of British military personnel since the so-called "war on terror" began.

A technical fault is thought to have been responsible for the crash, which is still being investigated by a board of inquiry.

It stunned the close-knit community of Kinloss, which has a long association with the air force.

Flags were lowered to half-mast, flights at the base were grounded as a mark of respect and people laid floral tributes at the station gates.

In a statement issued by RAF Kinloss, the men's families said: "It is very hard to believe that one year has passed.

"The pain is still as deep, we all miss such a wonderful group of men whose lives were tragically robbed on the ill-fated Nimrod XV230.

"Our lives will never be the same, a void will always remain. They will never be forgotten and we cherish our very precious memories. Until we meet again."

Kinloss station commander Group Captain Jerry Kessell said the loss was still being felt.

"It has been a massively challenging year for everybody at RAF Kinloss," he said.

"We have done all we can to support the families of those who lost their loved ones," he said.

"They remain at the forefront of our hearts and minds."

Sergeant Ben Knight from Bridgwater in Somerset was among those who died in the crash.

His father Graham, 55, has travelled to Kinloss to mark the anniversary.

"We have cried every day since the accident and I don't think we will ever come to terms with losing Ben," said Mr Knight.

"He was so full of life, he always made us laugh and he had an unquenchable thirst for adventure.

"Ben was 25 years old when he was killed - we are thankful and very proud to have spent those years with him."

Mr Knight added that he was frustrated that the board of inquiry had still to return its findings.

"The aircraft exploded mid-air and 12 months later we are still waiting for the inquiry report to be completed," he said.

"Until we have read the report we will not know what cut short the lives of 14 brave men that day."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said a date for the publication of the board of inquiry investigation still had to be fixed.

In February the entire Nimrod fleet was grounded after a dent was found in a fuel pipe during a routine inspection

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