2 Tonka GR4's down off Scotland

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2 GR4's doown off Scotland

Two people have been picked up by helicopter after two RAF Tornados crashed off the coast of Scotland, the RNLI has said.

A spokesperson for the MoD said earlier: "The RAF are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR4 from RAF Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth area.

"We are investigating the incident and further information will be provided when possible."

Lifeboats from Wick, Invergordon and Buckie were sent out towards the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway.

Crew from the Buckie boat reported that two people were taken from the sea by helicopter.

RAF Lossiemouth is home to three squadrons of Tornado GR4s.

The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft capable of assuming a variety of attack roles and reaching a maximum altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m).

Tornado aircraft have been involved in crashes in Scotland in recent years.

In January last year, two RAF crew were rescued after their Tornado GR4 jet came down in the sea off the west coast of Scotland.

The crew, from RAF Lossiemouth, ejected from the plane before it landed in the waters at Loch Ewe, near Gairloch, Wester Ross.

In July 2009, an RAF pilot and navigator were killed when their Tornado jet crashed into a hillside in Argyll.

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson, 27, and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton, 43, died in the crash near the village of Arrochar.

The aircraft was a RAF Leuchars-based Tornado F3 on a routine flight.