RAF Nimrod Crash Inquest: Recording Played of Alrcraft's Final Moments

The relatives of fourteen members of the British armed forces, killed in an RAF Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft in Afghanistan, have been played a recording of the stricken aircraft’s final moments in the air.

The recording’s broadcast was made during the second day of the current inquest into the incident, which occurred in September 2006.

Nimrod Explosion

The Nimrod exploded shortly after taking on board more fuel, with the result that all onboard it perished. It – as well the majority of its crew – hailed from RAF Kinloss, Scotland.

The explosion caused the largest loss of life among the British armed forces from a single event since the Falklands Conflict 24 years previously.

During the playback, Coroner Andrew Walker requested that all those not related to the dead military personnel leave the court.

"I was told you had not heard that material yet. I was sorry to hear it and I want you to hear it immediately," he stated, adding:"Members of the families, you should have the opportunity to hear that tape.

“I think it's wholly wrong to delay the matter further still."

It is anticipated that the recording will be aired in less restrictive circumstances at a future point in the inquest.

Multiple Injuries: Pathologist

In further news from the inquest, RAF pathologist Wing Commander Graeme Maidment spoke of how those on board the aircraft had died as a result of multiple injuries, likely to have been inflicted after the aircraft’s impact with the ground, as opposed to during the explosion per se.

Maidment additionally apologised to those relatives that may have suffered distress from early complications with the servicemen’s DNA that resulted in some being misidentified.

"Whatever role the error played in this case, the distress it caused to the families cannot be quantified", he said.