http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle ... 979950.stm[/quote]A number of British servicemen have died in a helicopter crash in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Police in Basra said the aircraft crashed into a house in the centre of the city after being hit by a rocket.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the causes of the crash remained unclear but offered his "heartfelt sympathies" to the families of those who had died.
British soldiers deployed in the city sealed off the area as hundreds of Iraqis rushed to see the incident.
Mr Browne, who has only been in the job since Friday, said he was "deeply saddened" by news of the crash, but warned against speculation over what had caused the incident.
The threat has always been quite severe but it has got worse in recent months
Colonel Bob Stewart
Military analyst
"The situation on the ground is still developing and facts are still coming in. We must be careful to allow those investigating the incident to do their job," he said.
Mr Browne said troops were helping the Iraqi emergency services to secure the crash-site to help ensure a "thorough investigation of all possible causes of the incident".
The defence secretary paid tribute to the "courage and fortitude" of British forces in helping to build a democracy in Iraq.
Petrol bombs
Video footage from Iraqi television showed orange flames and large plumes of black smoke curling into the sky.
British troops were seen running through the streets firing shots into the air as hundreds of Iraqis gathered, many waving their arms and throwing stones.
The footage also showed a Warrior tank being hit by home-made petrol bombs hurled by people in the crowd.
One of the petrol bombs caught alight on the top of the tank and fire extinguishers were seen trying to put out the flames.
But the MoD insisted there were no reports of major problems, and Major Sebastian Muntz, in Basra, said the crowds had now been cleared from the streets.
Although the scenes in Basra were "horrible", he said the situation for the British troops there had got much better recently.
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British troops die in Basra crash
British troops die in Basra crash
God bless them! Can Blair now take our troops out!!!
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going grey!
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going grey!
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Future_Marine
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harry hackedoff
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http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... hNamed.htmIt is with very great sadness and regret that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the names of five British personnel missing presumed dead following the crash of a Lynx helicopter in Basra City on Saturday 6 May 2006.
Wing Commander John Coxen
[Picture: MOD]
They are Wing Commander John Coxen RAF; Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman RN; Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill RAF; Captain David Dobson AAC and Marine Paul Collins.
God bless and god speed!! R.I.P!
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Everyone of us are hoping that every one is ok,Future_Marine wrote:Im actually hoping my brothers ok, he arrived in Basra yesterday and now im really worried
Job well done Lads and Lass, stand down.
Rest in Peace
Friendship is like peeing in your pants,
everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth!!
everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth!!
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Doc
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harry hackedoff
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847, Doc. Read Jo`s link for the obits.
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shal not weary, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We Will Remember Them
We Will Remember Them
Lest we Forget
Rest easy guys, job well done
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shal not weary, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We Will Remember Them
We Will Remember Them
Lest we Forget
Rest easy guys, job well done
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Rotary Booty
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It was a Bootneck Lynx. 
847 NAS is what used to be called 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines which is why there was a Royal Marines Door Gunner on board.
Lt Cdr Chapman was the OC, and had taken over from a Major RM as the Navy and Corps take it in turns to command the Air Sqn.
RIP guys, and my thoughts are with your colleagues and families.
Rotary
847 NAS is what used to be called 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines which is why there was a Royal Marines Door Gunner on board.
Lt Cdr Chapman was the OC, and had taken over from a Major RM as the Navy and Corps take it in turns to command the Air Sqn.
RIP guys, and my thoughts are with your colleagues and families.
Rotary
