TWO airmen killed in an RAF helicopter crash in North Yorkshire were last night named by the Ministry of Defence.

The aircraft's captain, Flight Lieutenant David Sale, and crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot died when the Puma helicopter they were in crashed in a field near Catterick Garrison on Wednesday night.

Last night, three recruits from the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick who were on board the Puma were described as "very seriously ill" in hospital.

Brigadier David Clements, Commandant at ITC Catterick, said last night: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the staff and recruits involved at this tragic time.

"In addition, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the airmen who died."

He added: "I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in the rescue operation, including members of ITC Catterick who were exercising in the same area, and who demonstrated great courage in attending to survivors in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

"The police, ambulance and mountain rescue services all provided a superb response, and we are grateful for their exemplary actions."

There were nine Army personnel on the helicopter - eight recruits and one member of permanent staff - all from ITC Catterick.

They were being treated at hospitals across the North-East. The next of kin of all of those injured have been informed.

Last night, it was hoped that some of those with less serious injuries could soon be released from hospital.

ITC spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Philip Jennings said: "We are confident that some of the ITC-based personnel who received fairly minor injuries are going to be discharged from hospital in the very near future."

Both of the men who died in the incident came from 33 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Benson, in Oxfordshire.

Group Captain Paul Lyall, station commander at RAF Benson, said: "Words cannot adequately express our grief at their loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this time."

The rescue operation involved aircraft from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer, as well as a mountain rescue team from RAF Leeming, and about 30 firefighters and five appliances from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Accident investigators spent yesterday scouring the crash site - a field near Hudswell Grange, close to Army training grounds.