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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Three feared dead in plane crash | Three feared dead in plane crash |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Three people are now believed to have died when a light aircraft crashed into overhead power lines on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire. | Three people are now believed to have died when a light aircraft crashed into overhead power lines on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire. |
| The plane came down near the village of Little Haywood, causing disruption for thousands of rail passengers. | The plane came down near the village of Little Haywood, causing disruption for thousands of rail passengers. |
| The aircraft was registered to the pilot of the plane, Alan Matthews, 59, from Walsall, who died in the crash. | The aircraft was registered to the pilot of the plane, Alan Matthews, 59, from Walsall, who died in the crash. |
| The line is expected to be closed until Monday, affecting travel between London Euston, the North West and Scotland. | |
| The remains of the aircraft will be removed from the scene on Saturday as investigations into the cause of the crash continue, British Transport Police said. | |
| Inspectors from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have been examining the scene. | Inspectors from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have been examining the scene. |
| Trains delayed | Trains delayed |
| Mr Matthews' wife Jenny confirmed the 59-year-old was piloting the light aircraft that crashed shortly before 1200 GMT on Friday. | Mr Matthews' wife Jenny confirmed the 59-year-old was piloting the light aircraft that crashed shortly before 1200 GMT on Friday. |
| Mr Matthews is registered as company director of Sittles Farm Flying Club, near Lichfield in Staffordshire. | Mr Matthews is registered as company director of Sittles Farm Flying Club, near Lichfield in Staffordshire. |
| Crashed plane 'just nose down' | Crashed plane 'just nose down' |
| His wife said he had 19 years flying experience and it was thought he had arranged to go flying with a work colleague and possibly another person. | His wife said he had 19 years flying experience and it was thought he had arranged to go flying with a work colleague and possibly another person. |
| Police said that two people died in the crash but they believed a third person had also been on board. British Transport Police said a pathologist was expected to confirm this on Saturday. | Police said that two people died in the crash but they believed a third person had also been on board. British Transport Police said a pathologist was expected to confirm this on Saturday. |
| Local resident Derek Higgott, who lives close to the crash scene, said: "I heard the plane, I looked up, and suddenly it just turned and went straight down like a stunt plane. | Local resident Derek Higgott, who lives close to the crash scene, said: "I heard the plane, I looked up, and suddenly it just turned and went straight down like a stunt plane. |
| "There was a huge thud and black smoke. You could feel the vibration from it and a huge flock of birds all took off." | "There was a huge thud and black smoke. You could feel the vibration from it and a huge flock of birds all took off." |
| RAIL ENQUIRIES For more information on train times call 08457 48 49 50 National Rail Enquiries The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | RAIL ENQUIRIES For more information on train times call 08457 48 49 50 National Rail Enquiries The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
| Police said it was expected post-mortem examinations would be carried out on Sunday. | Police said it was expected post-mortem examinations would be carried out on Sunday. |
| All rail services on the West Coast Mainline between Rugby and Stafford remained suspended. | All rail services on the West Coast Mainline between Rugby and Stafford remained suspended. |
| A Network Rail spokesman said engineers had been unable to get onto the site because of the investigation, but were hoping to start work on Saturday afternoon. | |
| "It's probably about a day's work and we hope to finish by Sunday evening. It should be clear for Monday morning commuters," he said. | |
| There will be a reduced service and delays of up to 60 minutes on Virgin Trains services between London and north-west England which are being diverted via Coventry and will not call at stations between Nuneaton and Stafford. | There will be a reduced service and delays of up to 60 minutes on Virgin Trains services between London and north-west England which are being diverted via Coventry and will not call at stations between Nuneaton and Stafford. |
| On local services run by London Midland there is a replacement bus service calling at stations between Stafford and Rugby, with up to an extra hour added to journey times. | On local services run by London Midland there is a replacement bus service calling at stations between Stafford and Rugby, with up to an extra hour added to journey times. |