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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAThe wives of victims of the 1994 RAFChinook disaster have spoken of their devastation for the first time as calls grow for a public inquiry.
The wives of victims of the 1994 RAF Chinook disaster have spoken of their devastation for the first time as calls grow for a public inquiry.
Lynn Bunting, from Belfast, widow of Detective Chief Inspector Dennis Bunting, and Sue Angus, from Hampshire, widow of Major Gary Sparks, say the tragedy was ‘preventable’.
They appear in a Valentine’s Day film which has been sent to every Cabinet minister, as families step up their demands for answers from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The short film has been released by the Chinook Justice Campaign and also features Gaynor Tobias, whose husband John was killed in the crash.
The RAF Mark 2 Chinook crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994, killing all 29 people on board, including the crew and officers from MI5, the Army, and the RUC.
The widows describe the enduring impact of the disaster and the additional pain which they say was caused by decades of unanswered questions surrounding the aircraft’s airworthiness and the circumstances of the crash.
The film marks the families’ renewed appeal for public support, as they seek to reach 100,000 signatures on their petition for a full public inquiry into the tragedy.
Wreckage of the Chinook helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994
Sue Angus, whose husband Major Gary Sparks died in the Chinook tragedy, said the crash had 'devastated our lives'
Major Sparks with his daughters Esme, right, Lucy, and son Paddy
Also taking part in the film – which can be viewed on the campaign website and YouTube – are Mrs Bunting’s daughter Erin, and Lisa Fitzsimons, whose father Brian Fitzsimons died in the crash. Mrs Bunting said that ‘31 years on, and two months since MoD ministers promised to review our evidence, we are still waiting for answers’.
‘This Valentine’s Day will be the 31st without my Dennis. And why? Because he and 28 others were put on a helicopter that was not airworthy, that the RAF and MoD knew was not airworthy and should not have been in the air.’
Mrs Angus said she should be able to grieve in peace, but ‘instead we have to continue this battle for honesty and clarity from the MoD’.
Gaynor Tobias, from Watford, described her husband Lt Colonel John Tobias as 'everything you could look for in a partner'
Lt Col Tobias with his wife Gaynor and sons Matt, bottom left, and Andy
Lynn Bunting, from Belfast, whose husband Detective Chief Inspector Dennis Bunting died at the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 has decided to speak publicly for the first time ahead of Valentine's Day - the 31st she has spent 'without my Dennis'
Lynn Bunting with her late husband, DCI Dennis Bunting, and the couple’s children Connor, Shannon and Erin
Mrs Tobias, from Watford, Hertfordshire, said she and her children miss their ‘role model’ husband and father ‘every day’.
A campaign spokesman said: ‘These widows should not have to keep reliving their grief just to be heard.’
An MoD spokesman said: 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families.
'The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.
'Lord Coaker, Minister of state for defence, Al Carns, Minister for the armed forces, and Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Minister for veterans and people, met with representatives from the Chinook Justice Campaign in December to listen to their concerns first-hand.'