Memorial service to mark 30th anniversary of Mull of Kintyre helicopter crash

Published on 22 May 2024 1 minute read

A special service to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre is being held.

The 29 people who died will be remembered and honoured at Southend Parish Church on 2 June at 12.30pm.

The helicopter was on its way from RAF Aldergrove near Belfast to Inverness on June 2, 1994 when it crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

Chinook Cairn
The memorial cairn in memory of the 29 people who died in the helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre. Wikimedia Commons

The pilots, Flt Lts Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook, were accused of gross negligence over the crash.

A fresh review was ordered and in 2011 found that the pilots should not have been blamed and the earlier ruling was set aside.

The service has been organised by Rev Steven Sass, minister of the Kintyre Parishes, and Rev Roddy McNidder, who was the parish minister at the time of the crash in 1994, will deliver the sermon.

Afterwards, a special act of remembrance will be held at a memorial cairn at the crash site at 3pm.

Prayers

Speaking at the General Assembly yesterday, Mr Sass said: "This year there will be a remembrance service in Southend Parish Church and on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June.

"There has been a number of articles and reports in the media about the lack of support from the Ministry of Defence to the members of the families of those who perished in the horrific crash so many years ago.

"However, the Ministry of Defence has been supportive to myself through the chaplaincy of the MoD and a special word of thanks to the Rev Colin Bell, senior chaplain 38th Irish Brigade, who helped me plan the special services of remembrance on the 30th anniversary of the Chinook crash.

"The Church of Scotland is a source of support of many of the members of the families who are still mourning the loss of loved ones.

"I ask the General Assembly to take note of this and keep those, who after so many years are still mourning the loss of their loved ones, in prayer."

Dr Susan Phoenix is expected to attend the service along with her son Niven, a former military and now commercial pilot whose father, senior RUC officer Ian Phoenix was one of those killed.

They and other campaigners believe there is a continuing cover up by the MoD over the real cause of the accident.