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Three dead in railway plane crash Three dead in railway plane crash
(30 minutes later)
Three people died when a light aircraft crashed into overhead power lines on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire, police have confirmed.Three people died when a light aircraft crashed into overhead power lines on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire, police have confirmed.
The plane came down near the village Little Haywood, causing disruption for thousands of rail passengers. The plane crashed near Little Haywood and the line is expected to be closed until Monday delaying trains from London to the North West and Scotland.
The aircraft was registered to the pilot of the plane, Alan Matthews, 59, from Walsall, who died in the crash. British Transport Police (BTP) said a pilot and two passengers were on board the plane when it crashed on Friday.
The line is expected to be closed until Monday, affecting travel between London Euston, the North West and Scotland. The pilot was Alan Matthews, from Walsall, West Midlands.
It was initially believed that two people were in the aircraft but British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed on Saturday that a third person on board had also been killed. It was initially believed that two people were in the aircraft but BTP confirmed on Saturday that a third person on board had also been killed. The two unidentified passengers are believed to be a man and a woman.
Trains delayedTrains delayed
The remains of the aircraft will be removed from the scene on Saturday as investigations into the cause of the crash continue, BTP said. The remains of the aircraft will be removed from the scene on Saturday, the BTP 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.
Crashed plane 'just nose down'Crashed plane 'just nose down'
Mr Matthews' wife Jenny confirmed the 59-year-old was piloting the light aircraft that crashed shortly before 1200 GMT on Friday. The aircraft was registered to Mr Matthews.
His wife Jenny confirmed the 59-year-old was piloting the light aircraft that crashed shortly before 1200 GMT.
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.
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.
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 sitesRAIL 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.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."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.