RAF pilot dies in Alaska crash

RAF Jaguars were taking part in a training exercise

A British Royal Air Force pilot died when his fighter jet crashed in Alaska.

The plane crashed on Wednesday as it was taking part in a training exercise.

The body of the pilot - based at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk - was found in the wreckage in a remote area west of Eagle, near the Canadian border, the British Ministry of Defence said.

"We can confirm that the wreckage of a British Jaguar which was on a joint exercise with the US Air Force in Alaska has been found following a search by the US Air Force," said an MoD spokesman.

The body of the pilot was with the plane, the spokesman added.

The pilot's identity is not being released until next of kin are identified.

The single-seater plane was one of four jets flying a mission during the Cooperative Cope Thunder, an international military air exercise.

The two-week exercise began on 16 July and ends Friday, Major Valerie Trefts of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska said.

Major Trefts said the plane was running a normal mission simulating a ground attack when it disappeared from radar.