MAN WHO DIED IN BANK HOLIDAY MICROLIGHT CRASH IS NAMED LOCALLY

MAN WHO DIED IN BANK HOLIDAY MICROLIGHT CRASH IS NAMED LOCALLY

A man who was killed when a microlight he was flying in crashed into a field has been named locally as Tony Crocombe.

The 64-year-old ,from Market Drayton, Shrops., was killed after the aircraft “nosedived to the ground” shortly before 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday (30/5).

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Wrekin Microlight Flying Club in Shifnal, Shrops., but two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Yesterday (Wed) a neighbour of Mr Crocombe said: “He was a lovely man and really into his planes. I believe he was the passenger at the time.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking what has happened. He was such a nice, friendly bloke and he is going to be sorely missed.”

Another local resident added: “I didn’t know them that well, just enough to say hello to. It is such a shame what’s happened.”

The wreckage has since been taken for examination by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Andy Richards, Safety Advisor at Wrekin Microlight Flying Club, said the two people who died were on their way to Shifnal Airfield when they crashed.

He said: “They were not members of this club, they were arriving at the club but hadn’t arrived.

“I know they were coming to visit but the accident happened before the arrived so there will be no official logged information at the club.”

Eyewitness John Taylor, 37, said he was watching the skies from a few miles away when he saw the microlight fall from the sky.

The geography teacher added: “I was in the park with my two kids and happened to look up and see the plane.

“I watched it for a few seconds, all seemed normal but then it seemed to be getting lower.

“All of a sudden it nosedived to the ground. It dropped below the roofs of the houses so I didn’t actually see it land.”

Michelle Marshall, who lives in Shifnal, said she saw the crash scene when she got back from walking her dogs.

She added: “I was only aware of anything when I saw the air ambulance landing in the field in front of our house.

“Within minutes there were several fire engines and ambulances arriving on the adjacent lane.”

Emergency services closed Shaw Lane, which runs alongside the field, at both ends as they investigated on Monday evening.

But the tail of the plane was visible from the road through the crops in the field where it came down.

West Mercia Police said trained officers were supporting the next of kin of the two victims who have not been named.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: “This is a very sad incident in which two people have tragically lost their lives, we are making sure specially trained officers are making contact with their next of kin and giving them all the support they need.

“We have been working closely with our colleagues from the other emergency services at the scene to make the area safe and ensure the resulting investigation can proceed.”

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