OVER 80 rescuers are still in the Rhinog mountains this afternoon trying to recover the bodies of five people who died in a helicopter crash near Trawsfynydd on Wednesday afternoon.

All of North Wales’ mountain rescue teams, RAF, specialist police officers, coastguard and the search and rescue helicopter are all still on the Rhinog mountains in conditions which are described as ’extremely treacherous’.

North Wales Police are also appealing for witnesses who may have heard or seen anything on Wednesday afternoon between 12pm and 1pm in the Trawsfynydd area.

The wreckage of the privately owned twin squirrel red helicopter was found in the Rhinog mountains, roughly between Trawsfynydd and Llanbedr.

The exact location is not being revealed at this time to allow a dignified and unhindered recovery of the bodies in what is described as very difficult and challenging terrain.

Supt. Gareth Evans at North Wales Police said “The aircraft, a red Twin Squirrel helicopter had failed to arrive in Dublin from Luton yesterday afternoon instigating a full sea and then land search and rescue operation."

Two of those on board the helicopter have been named locally as Kevin and Ruth Burke from Hulcote, near Milton Keynes.