The Ministry Of Defence has named two members of the RAF based at Benson who were killed in a helicopter crash last night.

Flight Lieutenant David Oxer Hanson Sale and Sgt Phillip Anthony Burfoot both died at 8.20pm when their Puma helicopter crashed during a training accident in Catterick.

Both men belonged to 33 Squadron, based at RAF Benson.

Keen sportsman Flt Lt Sale represented the air base at hockey and golf and was described as cheerful and with a dry wit by colleagues.

Sgt Sale, nicknamed "Taff" because of his Welsh heritage, was a rugby fan and had only joined the squadron three months ago.

Nine other service personnel, who were passengers on the helicopter, are being treated in hospitals in the North East. Two are in a critical condition.

RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said: "They (air investigators) will go through every possible detail, everything to do with the maintenance of the aircraft, everything to do with the crew hours and flying hours, weather conditions, mechanics and electrics - everything you can think of that might contribute to an accident."

North Yorkshire Police secured the scene, and the rescue operation involved aircraft from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer, as well as a mountain rescue team from RAF Leeming.

Eyewitness Andrew Pavey told the BBC: "We watched this helicopter quite rapidly go straight up into the air and it didn't sound right.

"It sounded like the engine was misfiring or something - it was making a hell of a racket."