Tributes paid to victims of Snowdonia helicopter crash

It is believed Donald and Sharon Burke and the rest of the group were travelling to Dublin

Tributes have been paid to five people who died after a helicopter crashed on a remote north Wales mountainside.

The bodies of the Burke family, from the Milton Keynes area, were removed from the Rhinog Mountains on Friday.

All five people on board - Kevin and Ruth Burke, Donald and Sharon Burke, and Barry Burke - were killed in the crash.

Donald and Sharon Burke's daughter Olivia said: "Our family has changed within the space of a day."

Ruth and Kevin Burke were also killed in the crash

She added: "They were taken far too soon and it's hard for us to understand why such a tragedy would happen to the best type of people, who were so selfless and genuine to everyone they met."

A statement from the Stewardson family read: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support and messages of condolences on the loss of our wonderful daughter, sister and auntie, Sharon Burke, her husband Donald, his brothers Kevin and Barry also Kevin's wife Ruth.

"We are truly overwhelmed with all your love and support.

"Our thoughts at this time are especially with Sharon and Donald's three wonderful children who are a credit to their parents."

North Wales Police said the remains of the helicopter had been recovered and transported for a detailed examination by the Air Accident Investigation Board.

The air restriction zone, that had been in place since last week, has now been removed but the scene remains cordoned by police.