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Plane wreckage removed from line Plane wreckage removed from line
(about 1 hour later)
Most of the wreckage of a light aircraft which crashed onto a railway line killing three people has been been removed by air accident investigators. The wreckage of a light aircraft which crashed onto a railway line killing three people has been been removed by air accident investigators.
The pilot Alan Matthews, 59, along with Nick O'Brien, 35, and his wife, Emma, 29, all from the West Midlands, died in the crash near Stafford, on Friday.The pilot Alan Matthews, 59, along with Nick O'Brien, 35, and his wife, Emma, 29, all from the West Midlands, died in the crash near Stafford, on Friday.
Network Rail said engineers would begin work on the West Coast Main Line once investigators handed the site back. Network Rail engineers are working on the West Coast Main Line, and some Virgin Train services have resumed.
The section of track should be open in time for Monday's rush hour, it added. The line should be fully open by Monday's rush hour, Network Rail said.
Train operators were running a reduced service on the West Coast Main Line on Sunday, with rail replacement buses adding to journey times. British Transport Police said the line had been handed back to Network Rail after an examination by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch.
'Preparatory work' A Network Rail spokesman said teams of engineers would work on power cables and tracks to get the West Coast Main Line fully running by Monday morning.
A spokesman for Network Rail said accident investigators had cleared most of the wreckage and were conducting a "fingertip search" at the site. Tributes paid
Investigators spent most of Saturday gathering evidence from the crash site Meanwhile, Virgin Train services from London to Manchester, North West England and Scotland have begun using the line, a spokesman said.
Teams of rail engineers were expected to be allowed on the site on Saturday afternoon, but preparatory work to repair damaged power cables and tracks had already been carried out, he added. From 1600 GMT, it also expected to reopen the line up to Liverpool.Investigators spent most of Saturday gathering evidence from the crash site
He added there would still be some delays, but a normal service was expected by Monday morning.
Other train operators were running a reduced service on the West Coast Main Line on Sunday, with rail replacement buses adding to journey times.
Tributes have been paid to the victims of the crash.Tributes have been paid to the victims of the crash.
Mr and Mrs O'Brien, from Shirley, Solihull, who married last August, were passengers in the plane which crashed when it hit power lines above the track at Little Haywood.Mr and Mrs O'Brien, from Shirley, Solihull, who married last August, were passengers in the plane which crashed when it hit power lines above the track at Little Haywood.
The couple had two children, Callum, aged 10, and 18-month-old Joel, a British Transport Police spokeswoman said.The couple had two children, Callum, aged 10, and 18-month-old Joel, a British Transport Police spokeswoman said.
It is understood that Mr O'Brien knew the pilot Mr Matthews, from Walsall, through his work. It is understood that Mr O'Brien knew the pilot Mr Matthews, from Walsall, through his work. RAIL ENQUIRIES For more information on train times call 08457 48 49 50 class="" href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/">National Rail Enquiries The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Mr Matthews' wife Jenny paid tribute to her "loving, caring" husband in a statement. She said he would help anybody and loved flying.Mr Matthews' wife Jenny paid tribute to her "loving, caring" husband in a statement. She said he would help anybody and loved flying.
Mr Matthews is registered as company director of Sittles Farm Flying Club, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.Mr Matthews is registered as company director of Sittles Farm Flying Club, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Club member Richard Morris said: "He (Alan) was a very nice chap and he was one of our long-standing members at the club. RAIL ENQUIRIES For more information on train times call 08457 48 49 50 class="" href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/">National Rail Enquiries The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Club member Richard Morris said: "He (Alan) was a very nice chap and he was one of our long-standing members at the club.
"We are all deeply shocked to hear of this accident - he was a very good, experienced flyer and we are just totally shocked really.""We are all deeply shocked to hear of this accident - he was a very good, experienced flyer and we are just totally shocked really."
Inspectors from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have been examining the scene since the crash shortly before 1200 GMT on Friday.
The incident has had an impact on rail travel through the area affecting trains from London to the North West and Scotland.The incident has had an impact on rail travel through the area affecting trains from London to the North West and Scotland.
Glen MacDonald of Virgin Trains, said: "The advice to people is that they should allow extra time for their journey. Replacement buses put on by London Midland are running to local stations in the area.
"Journeys will take longer than normal, 45 to 60 minutes longer than normal, and they should check the times of trains before they travel."
Replacement buses put on by London Midland are also running to local stations in the area.