The elderly mother of a millionaire family killed when their helicopter crashed in Snowdonia has lost all three of her sons in the air disaster, it was revealed today.
Noeleen Burke has been left heartbroken by the deaths of her 'generous and loving' children Kevin, 56, Donald, 55, and Barry, 51, in Wednesday's crash.
Mrs Burke's daughter-in-laws Ruth, 49, and Sharon, 48, are dead - leaving six of the victims' children without parents.
They were all flying to Ireland to surprise their niece at her confirmation party in Ireland.
Mrs Burke, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, who is in her 80s, became a widow when the boys' father, her husband Donal died three years ago. She has one remaining daughter.
Tragic: This family photo shows at least two of the three brothers Kevin Burke, front right, and his brother Barry Burke, front left, killed in Wednesday's helicopter disaster. Their elderly mother Noeleen, in her 80s, is pictured leaning in towards to a female companion
Killed: Kevin and Ruth Burke, pictured, died along with Mr Burke's brothers Barry, 51, and Donald, 55. His sister-in-law, Donald's wife Sharon Burke, 48, was also killed. The family were on the way to surprise their niece at her confirmation in Ireland
Struggle: Disaster struck on Wednesday when the helicopter came down in the Rhinog Fawr mountains near Snowdonia, Wales. Police confirmed they recovered all five bodies this afternoon
Hunt: This is the helicopter with five people on board that has been found crashed in North Wales with the dead passengers, pictured here at Elstree Studios
The ill-fated Twin Squirrel red helicopter left the Burkes' Milton Keynes mansion for Dublin and had been due to land in Weston Airport but crashed into the Rhinog Fawr mountains in Snowdonia near the giant Trawsfynydd lake reservoir on Wednesday afternoon.
A family friend said: 'The family were flying in to attend a confirmation for a niece and wanted to surprise her on the big day.
'They were due to arrive in for a party that evening. Then word started to filter through that something was wrong during the afternoon, but the family made every effort to keep their composure'.
Another relative said: 'We were all a very close family. We're absolutely devastated. They were coming to Dublin for a family confirmation.
'Kevin was a very experienced pilot. He never took chances. He was an excellent pilot and he had a lot of flight hours and he never took risks.
'They only decided to come when they checked the weather, which was supposedly okay, but it doesn't look like it was.
'We were all looking forward to seeing them. We're all devastated. They were lovely people and they were very family orientated. We were all very close. Kevin was generous and loving. They were all generous and loving people.'
North Wales Police confirmed in a statement today that they had recovered the five bodies despite bad weather initially hampered the hunt for the wreckage and recovery operation. Eighty people were working on the operation.
There is also a continued no fly zone over the area but has been reduced to a two mile radius.
Killed: Kevin and Ruth, pictured, who had two children, hired their helicopter out to TV and film crews. Kevin was piloting the helicopter
Chief Inspector Richie Green paid tribute to the professionalism, bravery and skill of all those involved in the 'challenging and distressing' operation.
He said: 'Shortly before 3.30pm this afternoon the last of the five who were on board the helicopter were recovered and they have now been transported to a local hospitals mortuary.
'Thames Valley Police Family Liaison Officers have informed family members and we can now begin the very difficult process of formal identification. Our thoughts remain with the extended family and their friends.
'Now all the bodies have been recovered the joint investigation with the Air Accident Investigation Board will begin in earnest to establish how this accident happened.
'Until the helicopter is fully recovered the scene will remain cordoned and under Police & RAF guard so I'd remind people to please keep away from the area.
'We are still appealing to anyone who was in the Rhinog Mountains area of Snowdonia between 12 noon and 1pm on Wednesday, March 29 and may have heard or seen the helicopter to contact North Wales Police via the live web chat or by phoning 101.'
A spokesman for the family said last night: 'Six children have lost their parents in this tragedy.
'At this stage the family wants to be left alone to be able to deal with their grief over this terrible loss and concentrate upon looking after the children.'
Among those to pay tribute to the couple was model Danielle Lloyd, who said: 'Such sad news about Ruth and Kevin Burke.
'They were two of the nicest people I've ever had the privilege to meet and my thoughts and prayers are with all the family.'
Police and a mountain rescue team found the wreckage in Snowdonia's Rhinog Fawr mountains near Trawsfynydd lake, which is one of Britain's largest reservoirs.
But it lost contact as it passed over North Wales, which was battered by gale force winds, heavy rain and had visibility of less than 10 metres in places because of low cloud.
Mr Burke's father Dónal was from Kilcummin in Western Ireland, and his uncle Michael Burke lives in Ballycastle, Northern Island.
The Burkes are said to have many cousins in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for the force in North Wales confirmed all the victims were adults and from the same extended family in Milton Keynes.
Supt Gareth Evans said: 'Owing to the nature and remoteness of the terrain, the poor weather conditions and the absolute need carry out this delicate task with sensitivity and dignity this may take some time.
'Their recovery is not just important to their families, but also the investigation as it may help identify any contributory factors.
'Formal identification is yet to take place and this may take some time.
'All the families of those on board the aircraft are being supported by specialist Police Family Liaison Officers and fully updated with developments'.
The helicopter lost contact as it passed over North Wales, which was battered by gale force winds, heavy rain and had visibility of less than 10 metres in places because of low cloud.
The helicopter is believed to have taken off from this heliport on the couple's land near Milton Keynes, where their construction business was based , and they were heading for a heliport just outside Dublin
A joint investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is now underway and a no-fly zone has been enforced.
The helicopter is owned by Staske Construction Ltd, which was run by Mr and Mrs Burke, and they rented out the red aircraft and others they own to TV and film crews from a helipad in the grounds of their Buckinghamshire farmhouse.
Their business had been running for 21 years and worked on major projects including the local hospital and football stadium in Milton Keynes.
The married couple, who have a son Jamie and daughter Jess, moved into their purple-painted luxury mansion just before Christmas 2016, following two years of construction, having built the home from scratch.
A neighbour close to their home told MailOnline: 'He (Kevin) was a helicopter pilot. When I heard the news I thought it might be him. His wife was Irish and they could have been flying over there'.
Speaking outside the couple's home, another man who described himself only as a close friend and refused to give his name, said: 'They were both in the machine, yes.'
Close friend of the family Michael Jones appeared close to tears when asked about the family and said: 'Now is not the time.'
Family friend Paul Dawes, of Over Peover, Cheshire said: 'Kevin and Ruth were aboard with extended members of the family.
'They'll never make anyone like him - it's heartbreaking for the family.'
Mr Dawes said the children's uncle Paul, Mrs Burke's brother, has traveled to Milton Keynes to be with them.
Police and rescue vehicles parked in the Snowdonia mountain range, pictured yesterday, in north Wales where the aircraft was found
The couple, who have a son Jamie and daughter Jess, moved into this modern mansion just before Christmas 2016, following two years of construction, having built the home from scratch
RAF mountain rescue service vehicles on a road near Trawsfynydd reservoir - one of Britain's largest. The crash site has been kept secret and sealed off
The helicopter is used regularly by film crews, pictured here being used during a shoot
Mr Burke's expanding helicopter business - but he appears to have made most of his money from construction projects including the local hospital and football stadium in Milton Keynes
Police and a mountain rescue are believed to have found the wreckage in the Rhinog mountains near Trawsfynydd lake, pictured, which is one of Britain's largest reservoirs
HM Coroner for north west Wales Mr Dewi Pritchard-Jones has been informed and opened an investigation.
Just over two weeks ago, a separate major search operation was launched here after the Coast Guard's Rescue 116 helicopter crashed near Blacksod off the coast of Mayo.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, was recovered from the sea shortly after the accident but she was later pronounced dead.
And last Sunday the body of Captain Mark Duffy, 51, was recovered from the wreckage of the cockpit by divers.
The funeral of Mr Duffy, a father of two from Louth, is taking place in Dundalk this morning.
The search for the remaining two crew, Ciarán Smith, 38, and Paul Ormsby, 50, is ongoing and has been hampered by challenging weather conditions.
The tragedy occurred when the Sikorsky S92 helicopter disappeared on its way to refuel at Blacksod on March 14, as it prepared to help in a medical evacuation mission.
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