Pilot is killed as Goodyear blimp bursts into flames

A Goodyear blimp that flew over the West Midlands has burst into flames during a tour of Europe, killing its pilot as it fell to earth.

The airship, which spent a week in the region in April, crashed in Germany.

Australian pilot Mike Nerandzic, aged 42, died after heroically warning three on-board passengers to jump to safety before trying to land the stricken aircraft.

Spirit of Safety I was one of two blimps commissioned by the tyre company to promote a road safety message. The firm's iconic airships had not been flown in Europe since 1999 but returned to the West Midlands in March, basing itself at Halfpenny Green Airport and seen by thousands flying over Molineux.

An investigation was today continuing into the cause of Sunday's crash in Hesse. The blimp exploded and was engulfed by flames. Mr Nerandzic brought it down to a height of six feet before telling his passengers to jump.

He then took the blimp back up to try and land it safely but it careered to earth, leaving a trail of black smoke behind it.