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Vietnamese national and three Britons died in midair collision – police Three Britons and Vietnamese man died in midair collision – police
(35 minutes later)
Three of the four men who died in a midair collision between a helicopter and a light plane on Friday were Britons and the fourth was a Vietnamese national, police believe.Three of the four men who died in a midair collision between a helicopter and a light plane on Friday were Britons and the fourth was a Vietnamese national, police believe.
Police officers, military personnel and air accident experts remained at the scene of the wreckage in woodland near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday as the families waited to formally identify their loved ones. Police officers, military personnel and air accident experts remained at the scene of the wreckage in woodland near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday as families waited to formally identify the victims.
The bodies of all four men have been recovered from the scene and postmortem examinations will begin on Sunday and take several days, Thames Valley police said. The bodies of all four men have been recovered and postmortems will begin on Sunday and take several days, Thames Valley police said.
Supt Rebecca Mears said three of the families visited the site on Saturday.Supt Rebecca Mears said three of the families visited the site on Saturday.
She said on Sunday: “Our thoughts remain with the families of the men who have tragically lost their lives.She said on Sunday: “Our thoughts remain with the families of the men who have tragically lost their lives.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are continuing to offer their support to the families of the victims affected, three of whom we understand to be British nationals and one of whom is a Vietnamese national.“Specially trained family liaison officers are continuing to offer their support to the families of the victims affected, three of whom we understand to be British nationals and one of whom is a Vietnamese national.
“Work will today focus on removing the aircraft from the scene, which will be done with specialist support.”“Work will today focus on removing the aircraft from the scene, which will be done with specialist support.”
Police have not confirmed the identities of the victims but colleagues named the helicopter pilot as Capt Mike Green, who died alongside his young student as a result of the collision. Police have not confirmed the identities of the victims but colleagues named the helicopter pilot as Capt Mike Green, who died alongside his young student.
Green was a senior instructor with Helicopter Services, a firm which offers training flights and gift experiences from its base at Wycombe Air Park.Green was a senior instructor with Helicopter Services, a firm which offers training flights and gift experiences from its base at Wycombe Air Park.
The company said in a statement on Facebook: “We have received many messages of support and kind words about our friend who, as a senior instructor and examiner, helped and mentored so many pilots throughout the industry during his distinguished career. It was an honour to work with you. Captain Green, you will be greatly missed.” The company said in a statement: “We have received many messages of support and kind words about our friend who, as a senior instructor and examiner, helped and mentored so many pilots throughout the industry during his distinguished career. It was an honour to work with you. Captain Green, you will be greatly missed.”
Capt Phil Croucher, who had known Green for 20 years after they had served in the army together, said his death was a “sad loss”. Capt Phil Croucher, who had known Green for 20 years after they served in the army together, said his death was a “sad loss”.
The head of training at the Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training Ground school at Wycombe Air Park also said he believed the crash was an accident and no negligence was involved. Croucher, the head of training at the Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training Ground school at Wycombe Air Park, also said he believed the crash was an accident and no negligence was involved. He said Green, thought to be in his 60s, was on a training flight with a young student.
Croucher said Green, thought to be in his 60s, was on a training flight with a young student. He said: “It’s a sad loss. We have lost somebody with a vast amount of experience that could have been passed on to younger people, apart from him being a nice guy generally.
He told PA: “It’s a sad loss. We have lost somebody with a vast amount of experience that could have been passed on to younger people, apart from him being a nice guy generally.
“He’s gone through no fault of his own and everyone’s lost a good friend and mentor.”“He’s gone through no fault of his own and everyone’s lost a good friend and mentor.”
The two aircraft crashed on the Waddesdon estate, the former country seat of the Rothschild banking dynasty.The two aircraft crashed on the Waddesdon estate, the former country seat of the Rothschild banking dynasty.
The collision happened at 12.06pm and both aircraft, carrying two passengers each, are believed to have come from the Wycombe airstrip, also known as Booker Airfield, which is about 20 miles from the crash site. The collision happened at 12.06pm and both aircraft, carrying two passengers each, are believed to have come from the Wycombe airstrip, also known as Booker airfield, which is about 20 miles from the crash site.
The plane involved was a Cessna 152 built in 1982 and owned by Airways Aero Associations, which is based at the Wycombe Air Park. The plane involved was a Cessna 152 built in 1982 and owned by Airways Aero Associations, which is based at Wycombe Air Park.