LEADING politicians have praised the “bravery” shown by five Army personnel, including four people from RAF Odiham, after they were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

As reported on The Gazette website, three soldiers from the Army Air Corps and a member of the Royal Air Force, all based at RAF Odiham, were killed in a helicopter crash in the Kandahar province in south Afghanistan yesterday.

An Army reservist from the 3rd Battalion, Military Intelligence of the Army Intelligence Corps, based in London, was also killed after their Westland Lynx Mk 9 helicopter crashed.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband have now joined Prime Minister David Cameron and Commander of the Joint Helicopter Command at RAF Odiham, Major General Richard Felton in praising the “bravery” shown by the five personnel.

Nick Clegg said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the five service personnel who have so tragically lost their lives.

“This incident is a very sad reminder of the vital but dangerous job that our Armed Forces are doing every day to bring security to the people of Afghanistan.

"I would like to pay tribute to their service and to the ultimate sacrifice made by those who died yesterday."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said that the incident was a “tragic and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces in serving our country with bravery and distinction”.

An investigation has now been launched to determine the cause of the crash.