UK names 5 feared dead in Basra helicopter crash

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) Britain released the names today of five military personnel missing and presumed dead in a Basra helicopter crash that sparked violent demonstrations at the weekend.

The Lynx helicopter crashed into a building on Saturday, and Iraqi police have said they believe it was shot down. Five Iraqis were killed and more than 40 wounded in violent demonstrations and clashes with British troops that followed.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said those believed killed in the crash were: Wing Commander John Coxen and Flight Lieutenant Sarah Mulvihill of the Royal Air Force; Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman and Lieutenant David Dobson of the Royal Navy and Marine Paul Collins.

Iraqi firefighters reported finding four bodies in the wreckage.

Defence Secretary Des Browne was due to make a statement to parliament later today about the crash.

British troops are increasingly using the workhorse Lynx as the roads become more dangerous for patrols but that tactic may have to be reviewed if an inquiry finds gunfire from the ground was responsible for Saturday's incident.

British investigators have been dispatched to the scene to check the wreckage.

The crash brings the number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq to 109. About 8,000 British troops are deployed there, mainly in the south.

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