Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Buckinghamshire air crash: Four dead after helicopter and plane collide

Each aircraft was carrying two people, police say

Jon Sharman
Friday 17 November 2017 20:38 GMT
Comments
Police at the scene near Waddesdon
Police at the scene near Waddesdon (PA)

Four people have died after a helicopter and light aircraft were involved in a mid-air crash in Buckinghamshire, police have confirmed.

Both aircraft are understood to have flown from Wycombe Air Park and collided near Waddesdon, in Buckinghamshire, shortly after midday.

Thames Valley Police Superintendent Rebecca Mears said officers were now tracing the victims’ families.

She said she could not identify the victims at this stage and her “first priority” was their next of kin.

Ms Mears said: “Our priorities today remain with investigating the next of kin, finding out who they are, informing them and supporting them with specialist officers as we progress the investigation here on site.

“Our priority has to be with the next of kin, speaking to them and letting them know.

“We anticipate being here until about Monday morning, potentially longer, we do not rush these things, it’s really important we do a meticulous investigation and really thorough to get to the bottom of what’s happened here.”

Police said there were two people on board both aircraft, and it was “too early to tell” what might have caused the crash.

A Notice to Airmen was previously issued to warn pilots the Wycombe Air Park’s air traffic control services would be closed during three 30-minute periods on selected days between 7 and 30 November due to a “staff shortage”.

The crash occurred around half an hour after the latest closure was due to end.

More follows...

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in