Family demand answers over plane crash that killed Former Welsh soldier

Wales Online May 17, 2011

The family of a former Welsh soldier killed in a plane crash in the remote mountains of Afghanistan today called for answers from the country’s government on the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Chris Carter, third from left, in a picture found at the crash site

Chris Carter, 51, from Caerphilly, was one of three Brits among the 44 passengers and crew onboard the Pamir Airways domestic flight.

Despite repeated attempts by the families’ lawyers to unearth details about why the ageing Antonov AN24B aircraft crashed, mystery still surrounds its cause. And there has been no message of condolence or communication from the airline.

Paul Carter, Chris’ brother, said described the last year for the family as “pretty dire”.

The family say they have not received any message of condolence nor any correspondence from Pamir or the Afghan Government over the crash.

Mr Carter said: “It’s been an awful journey. We are talking about 12 months to the day – that time has flown in the blink of an eye.

“Chris left a devoted wife in Pat and three lovely daughters, Louise, Sarah and Claire.

“They will never come to terms with what’s happened.

“We are trying to get some accountability, there’s not even been anything just to say sorry. It’s painful for everyone.”

Chris Carter was an experienced soldier with the Royal Regiment of Wales (now 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh), having served in Iraq, Bosnia as well as tours of duty in Northern Ireland.

He was in Afghanistan working with International Relief and Development, an organisation involved with the rebuilding of the war-torn country’s infrastructure and combating the drugs trade.

Mr Carter’s body was not flown home until three months after the crash on May 17, 2010.

The Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law team is acting for the three British families and is also liaising with representatives of 29 Afghan victims.

Jim Morris, a partner in the Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law team and himself a former RAF pilot, said: “We and our clients understand that the Kunduz to Kabul flight took off in bad weather before losing contact and crashing in the Afghan mountains.

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