RAF Chinook Widows Speak Out After 31 Years, Demanding Public Inquiry
The wives of victims from the 1994 RAF Chinook disaster have broken their silence, expressing profound devastation as calls intensify for a public inquiry into the tragedy they describe as 'preventable'. Lynn Bunting, from Belfast, widow of Detective Chief Inspector Dennis Bunting, and Sue Angus, from Hampshire, widow of Major Gary Sparks, are leading the charge for answers from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Valentine's Day Film Amplifies Families' Pleas
In a poignant Valentine's Day film distributed to every Cabinet minister, the widows share their stories, marking a renewed push for transparency. The short film, released by the Chinook Justice Campaign, also features Gaynor Tobias, whose husband John was killed in the crash. The RAF Mark 2 Chinook crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994, claiming the lives of all 29 people on board, including crew and officers from MI5, the Army, and the RUC.
The widows detail the enduring impact of the disaster, highlighting the additional pain caused by decades of unresolved questions about the aircraft's airworthiness and the crash circumstances. The film aims to rally public support, with families seeking 100,000 signatures on a petition for a full public inquiry.
Decades of Unanswered Questions
Mrs Bunting stated, '31 years on, and two months since MoD ministers promised to review our evidence, we are still waiting for answers. This Valentine's Day will be the 31st without my Dennis. And why? Because he and 28 others were put on a helicopter that was not airworthy, that the RAF and MoD knew was not airworthy and should not have been in the air.'
Mrs Angus added that she should be able to grieve in peace, but 'instead we have to continue this battle for honesty and clarity from the MoD.' Mrs Tobias, from Watford, Hertfordshire, described her husband Lt Colonel John Tobias as 'everything you could look for in a partner,' noting that she and her children miss their 'role model' husband and father 'every day.'
Campaign Gains Momentum with Family Involvement
The film also includes contributions from Mrs Bunting's daughter Erin and Lisa Fitzsimons, whose father Brian Fitzsimons died in the crash. A campaign spokesman emphasized, 'These widows should not have to keep reliving their grief just to be heard.'
MoD Response and Past Inquiries
An MoD spokesman responded, 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families. The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.'
In December, Lord Coaker, Minister of state for defence, Al Carns, Minister for the armed forces, and Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Minister for veterans and people, met with representatives from the Chinook Justice Campaign to listen to their concerns firsthand, yet families report ongoing delays in substantive action.
