Tributes to two men killed in horror plane crash
Pictured: Two men, aged 56, and 63, who died when their EV-97 Eurostar light aircraft crash landed in a field and burst into flames
- Christopher Ingle and Graham Jones died in the crash in Staffordshire on June 4
- The plane they were in slammed into Penkridge airfield and burst into flames
Tributes have been paid to two men who died after their light aircraft crash-landed in a field and burst into flames in front of horrified onlookers.
Christopher Ingle, 56, and Graham Jones, 63, were killed when their EV-97 Eurostar slammed into the ground at an airfield in Penkridge, Staffordshire, on Sunday, June 4.
Emergency services rushed to Otherton Airfield and pulled the pair from the flaming wreckage after fire crews extinguished the blaze at around 2pm.
But Mr Ingle and Mr Jones were both pronounced dead at the scene, with witnesses claiming they stood ‘no chance’ of surviving the ‘terrifying’ crash.
Paying tribute, Mr Ingle’s family described him as a ‘kind, helpful and thoughtful man who is loved dearly by family and friends’.
‘We are all devastated by the news of this terrible accident and are so shocked by his passing,’ they added in a statement released by Staffordshire Police.
Christopher Ingle and Graham Jones were flying in the light aircraft when it slammed into the ground and burst into flames at Otherton Airfield, in Staffordshire, on June 4
Tributes have now been paid to Christopher Ingle (left), 56, and Graham Jones (right), 63, by the heartbroken families of the pair
‘Christopher enjoyed fitness, martial arts and flying in his plane. He was a taxi driver who had many loyal customers and friends.
‘He was a fantastic uncle and a wonderful son. We will forever miss his attitude to life. May he rest in peace.’
Mr Jones’ family described him as a ‘loving father and grandfather who will be missed by all’.
Detective Inspector Peter Goodwin, of Staffordshire Police, CID, said: ‘Sadly, two gentlemen have lost their lives following this tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with their families at this difficult time.
‘Specially trained officers are continuing to support them whilst we work in parallel with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch to understand the circumstances leading to their deaths.’
Witnesses said people at the airfield rushed to try and help and were ‘left in tears’ when they realised there was ‘no chance’ they had survived.
One witness told The Sun: ‘The plane came down in front of us.
‘There was a terrifying descent then a boom as it hit the ground.
‘Other people on the airfield ran towards the wreckage. It was awful. There were flames but anyone in there looked like they had no chance.’
An investigation has since been launched into the tragedy. Pictured is the entrance to Otherton Airfield
Police said the men, aged 63 and 56, died when the light aircraft they were in crashed at an airfield in Otherton (pictured)
West Midlands Ambulance Service said they sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire to the scene.
However, they were unable to save the pair who were pulled from the ‘significantly damaged’ EV-97 Eurostar light aircraft following the fireball crash horror.
An ambulance service spokesman said: ‘On arrival, crews discovered a light aircraft that had suffered significant damage and two male patients.
‘Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save either man, and they were both confirmed dead at the scene.’
A spokeswoman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: ‘An accident in Penkridge, Staffordshire involving a light aircraft was notified to the AAIB.
‘An investigation has been launched and a multidisciplinary team of inspectors was deployed on Sunday afternoon to the accident site.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 372 of June 4 or message via Live Chat at www.staffordshire.police.uk
To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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