The crash between two helicopters at the start of the Iraq war was an accident.

Six British men and an American died when the two Culdrose-based Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided.

One had been returning to HMS Ark Royal while the other was leaving the ship on a mission when the accident happened.

Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Sir Richard Curtis apologised for the delay in bringing the inquest so long after the incident.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest on Monday.

The men who died were all from 849 Squadron based at Culdrose.

They were: Lt Philip Green, 30, from Lincolnshire; Lt Anthony King, 35, who lived in Helston, Lt Marc Lawrence, 26, from Kent; Lt Philip West, 32, from Budock Water. Lt James Williams, 28, from Falmouth, Cornwall; and Lt Andrew Wilson, 36, from Devon.

Twentyeven-year-old Lt Thomas Mullen Adams, of the US Navy, who was stationed at RNAS Culdrose also died.

All the men were well known in the area where some had made their homes.

Several relatives gave tributes to the men during the inquest.

Sir Richard apologised to them, and said: "I well realise the worry and anxiety you have all been through because of the delay and let's hope it never happens again.

"I express that hope in your names, because it is quite, quite unacceptable."

The inquest into the accident heard lengthy technical evidence from witnesses.

Both helicopters had been undertaking surveillance work for British forces.

The inquest also heard from an air traffic controller that the two aircraft had seen each other before a last-minute change of direction by one of the aircraft.

But no one knew or could fathom why they flew into each other.

Mr Barry Wilson, father of Lt Wilson, said the inquest may have been handled better but he may not have dealt with it quite as well had it been held nearer the time.

A statement from Rear Admiral Alan Massey, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff was issued following the verdict.

"This inquest was focussed on a tragic and shattering event in the early hours and days of the Iraq War in March 2003. At a stroke, the collision between two Sea King surveillance helicopters of 849 Naval Air Squadron resulted in the deaths of seven highly professional, dedicated young aircrew. These men had been making an immense contribution to the effectiveness and safety of our Royal Marine and Army troops who were on the ground, and in real danger, in Southern Iraq.

"I was the Commanding Officer of the aircraft HMS ARK ROYAL at the time. These men were part of my crew, and under my command. I will personally never forget the devastating impact that this accident had on my people at the time and we can only imagine what this loss meant and continues to mean to the wives and families of those who were killed.

"The Royal Navy's own investigations into the collision of these helicopters, whose crews were flying in very demanding conditions in a major military operation, have been very thorough.

"The initial Board of Inquiry into the collision in April 2003 found insufficient evidence to determine the cause, but identified a number of areas where a review of procedures and some technical improvements were considered desirable. The Royal Navy's own detailed accident investigation also could not conclusively determine a cause, but endorsed and re-emphasised the Board's recommendations. A number of these recommendations have already been introduced and work is ongoing in a number of other areas.

"I would also emphasise that the Royal Navy continues to offer its sincerest sympathy to the families of those who died in the service of their country and we will continue to support them and help wherever possible."

There was no comment from Culdrose this week, all reference to the inquest being put through the Ministry of Defence.