THE RAF was mourning the loss of two air crew today after their Tornado fighter jet crashed near a beauty spot.

As reported in later editions of the Evening Times yesterday, a major search was launched after the jet smashed into a hill near Arrochar.

It crashed during a routine training flight at 11.45am at Glen Kinglas, Argyll.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the deaths of two air crew from 43 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars near St Andrews.

He said: "At the moment our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of the two aircrew who lost their lives. The crash is being investigated at the moment. There will be an inquiry held by the RAF."

The accident happened close to the Rest And Be Thankful tourist spot on the A83, west of Loch Lomond.

Search and rescue helicopters from the HMS Gannett naval base and RAF Lossiemouth were scrambled to search the remote countryside for the wreckage.

Witnesses said planes appeared to have been flying much lower than usual yesterday.

Andy Graham, 60, a retired rigger who moved to Arrochar three years ago, said he saw two Tornados flying low in the area.