Two schoolgirl cousins aged 13 and 14 were among four people killed in an RAF light aircraft crash in South Wales yesterday.

Nikkita Marie Walters, 13, and Katie-Jo Davies, 14, both air cadets from Gilfach Goch, died after the two planes they were travelling in touched wings above the Kenfig Nature Reserve, Porthcawl, Bridgend.

The pilots of their respective aircraft, who also died in the crash, have been named as Hylton Price, 63, of Bridgend, and Andrew Marsh, 24, of Penarth.

"Words cannot describe how devastated we are by the loss of our girls," the families of the teenagers said.

"Nikkita and Katie-Jo were both much loved and will be so sorely missed.

"We are all grieving and would appeal for privacy at this time to come to terms with our loss.

"We will not be making any further comment at this time and we would appreciate the media's understanding that we need time alone to deal with what has happened."

Colette Paul, the assistant chief constable of South Wales police, extended her and the force's "deepest sympathies" to the bereaved families.

"Our specially trained family liaison officers and military personnel are providing support to the families during this most terrible time and we will be continuing to work closely with them," she said, adding that three investigations had been launched by South Wales police, the Ministry of Defence and the Air Accident Investigation Branch.

"Officers remain examining the scene and gathering evidence," ACC Paul continued.

"We are examining a substantial area and investigations will continue for a number of days.

"I would like to thank the members of the public and the media for their support during this incident."

She went on to say: "There are members of the public who have spoken to the media about the incident and we would ask them to contact us as a matter of urgency in order for us to obtain witness statements from them.

"The possibility exists that debris may be strewn across a wide area and we would appeal to members of the public to leave it in place and contact us so we may arrange recovery and examination."


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