Tragedy as microlight pilot dies

The man, who is believed to be in his 50s and was flying alone, was attempting to land his craft on a landing strip but collided with the hedge off Shaw Lane, Shifnal, yesterday.

Horrified residents who witnessed the accident rushed to help the pilot, pulling him from the wreckage and desperately battling to save him.

But despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance staff.

The County Air Ambulance was also scrambled from nearby Cosford.

Dan Gore, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the accident happened near a landing strip off Shaw Lane, at 6.15pm.

"The microlight was coming into land and it appeared the pilot got too low and crashed into a hedge," he said.

"Several members of public went to the crash scene and pulled the pilot from the wreckage.

"Sadly, despite all efforts, it was not possible to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

The victim is thought to be Telford. West Mercia Police were today informing the man's family. His identity is expected to be released over the weekend.

Shropshire fire crews attended the scene to spray protective foam on the wreckage of the plane to prevent it from bursting into flames.

In August last year a pilot and his 80-year-old passenger had a lucky escape after their light aeroplane crashed into a farmer's field near Weston Park in Staffordshire.

The two-seater Kitfox microlight crash-landed at Brockhurst Farm in the quiet village of Blymhill. The men were both members of Staffordshire Aero Club and had set off from Otherton airfield minutes before the crash.

At the time, chairman of the club Bob Powers said they were lucky to be alive.