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Display pilot killed in CarFest crash in Cheshire Pilot Kevin Whyman killed in CarFest crash in Cheshire
(about 1 hour later)
The pilot of a display team aeroplane has been killed in a crash at the CarFest motoring event in Cheshire.The pilot of a display team aeroplane has been killed in a crash at the CarFest motoring event in Cheshire.
Kevin Whyman was flying a Folland Gnat aircraft that came down near the event at Oulton Park at about 14:00 BST.Kevin Whyman was flying a Folland Gnat aircraft that came down near the event at Oulton Park at about 14:00 BST.
BBC presenter Chris Evans, CarFest's founder, confirmed his death and said the pilot's family had been informed.BBC presenter Chris Evans, CarFest's founder, confirmed his death and said the pilot's family had been informed.
Mr Evans, who appeared tearful when delivering a statement, said the display pilot had been killed in a "tragic accident".Mr Evans, who appeared tearful when delivering a statement, said the display pilot had been killed in a "tragic accident".
The Heritage Aircraft Trust, operator of the Gnat Display Team, said in a statement: "Kevin was a Royal Air Force-trained fast jet pilot whose enthusiasm for flying the Folland Gnat was infectious.The Heritage Aircraft Trust, operator of the Gnat Display Team, said in a statement: "Kevin was a Royal Air Force-trained fast jet pilot whose enthusiasm for flying the Folland Gnat was infectious.
"He will be greatly missed by his family, the team and many friends."He will be greatly missed by his family, the team and many friends.
"Kevin leaves a wife and young daughter.""Kevin leaves a wife and young daughter."
BBC producer Justin Bones, on the scene at Oulton Park, said two planes performed a low-level, close-proximity pass just before the crash.BBC producer Justin Bones, on the scene at Oulton Park, said two planes performed a low-level, close-proximity pass just before the crash.
'Strange angle''Strange angle'
One of the aircraft failed to pull up and crashed north of the circuit, he said.One of the aircraft failed to pull up and crashed north of the circuit, he said.
Mr Evans said a more comprehensive statement would be issued, with a further statement on Sunday "when we know more".Mr Evans said a more comprehensive statement would be issued, with a further statement on Sunday "when we know more".
He said: "The event will continue on the advice of the three aviation authorities we are currently involved with as part of the ongoing investigation to what happened.He said: "The event will continue on the advice of the three aviation authorities we are currently involved with as part of the ongoing investigation to what happened.
"And the police have also advised us that the best thing, and the safest thing to do, is to carry on with the event, bearing in mind there are 10,000 children here, and that's what we are going to do.""And the police have also advised us that the best thing, and the safest thing to do, is to carry on with the event, bearing in mind there are 10,000 children here, and that's what we are going to do."
When it was commented the crash had upset him greatly, Mr Evans said: "Of course it has." Cheshire Police have confirmed the death of the pilot and say they are working to establish what happened.
Cheshire Police said in a statement that the plane was performing in the event at the time of the crash. Eyewitnesses described horrified spectators screaming as the plane nosedived suddenly.
"Sadly, the pilot of the plane has died at the scene. There are no reports of any other injuries." Witness Steve Gluning, who works with aircraft, said: "It's an airshow and it's dangerous. You know these things can happen but when they happen in front of you it's shocking.
The statement added that police were talking to all of those involved to try to establish what had happened. "We were at the CarFest, my partner and I. Two Gnats came in. Five or six minutes doing individual and pair displays. They did a crossover. One went north and the other, I saw it jink. It went past the trees. Two or three seconds later there was a fireball.
Eyewitnesses described horrified spectators screaming as a plane nosedived suddenly.
Tessa Angel was watching the display with her husband and said the mood at the festival "was a bit sombre".
"We saw two planes flying, weaving side by side. One was at a strange angle. My husband said: 'That's low. I hope he comes back up.' Then it went down.
"People were staring, asking what happened. I didn't see any parachute. There were sirens within seconds, then a helicopter hovering. It's still hovering."
'Sirens within seconds'
Another eyewitness said: "I was at the shop. There were two planes flying around. One of them just seemed to do a dive where the car park is. Then there was a bang.
"There were emergency services running through. Air ambulance is there now. Everyone's questioning what's happening. Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening."
Steve Gluning, who works with aircraft, said: "It's an airshow and it's dangerous. You know these things can happen but when they happen in front of you it's shocking.
"We were at the CarFest, my partner and I. Two Gnats came in. Five or six minutes doing individual and pair displays. They did a crossover. One went North and the other, I saw it jink. It went past the trees. Two or three seconds later there was a fireball.
"Instantly, you know that could be fatal.""Instantly, you know that could be fatal."
Tessa Angel was watching the display with her husband.
"We saw two planes flying, weaving side by side. One was at a strange angle. My husband said: 'That's low. I hope he comes back up.' Then it went down," she said.
"People were staring, asking what happened. I didn't see any parachute. There were sirens within seconds, then a helicopter hovering."
Aviation expert Julian Bray said the type of Gnat plane involved in the crash had been around since 1955.Aviation expert Julian Bray said the type of Gnat plane involved in the crash had been around since 1955.
He said: "They had great ideas for these little aircraft but they didn't quite made it. The RAF did use them for training purposes but never for display purposes. They went with another variant. They sold theirs on, mainly. He said: "They had great ideas for these little aircraft but they didn't quite make it. The RAF did use them for training purposes but never for display purposes. They went with another variant. They sold theirs on, mainly.
"The Heritage Trust has got some of these and they do these displays.""The Heritage Trust has got some of these and they do these displays."
'Crowd went silent' Footage request
People attending the event posted photos of the billowing smoke and noted their dismay on Twitter. CarFest's organisers said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with the family of the pilot and all those affected at this time.
Johnathan Randall tweeted: "Think I've just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned. Everyone on their phones." "We have helpfully received images and footage captured by those close to the site, which will aid with the police investigation.
Emma McEvoy added: "OMG plane crashed right in front of our eyes at Carfest hope the pilot ejected!! Whole crowd went silent!" "Should anyone else have similar photo or video footage, they are asked to keep hold of it in case the authorities request further information."
CarFest organisers said in a statement: "An aircraft flying with the Gnat Display Team came down approximately one mile north of the site. The pilot has been confirmed as a fatality."
The statement added: "Our thoughts are with the family of the pilot and all those affected at this time."
"The emergency services are in attendance and the air accident services have been notified.
"The event is continuing and more information will be released when it becomes available. No further comment will be made at this time."
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: "AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site."An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: "AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site."
Daniel Finlay filmed the planes taking off before the display began. Mr Evans, a car enthusiast who has just become the new presenter of BBC Top Gear, created the motoring and music festival, which raises money for BBC Children in Need.
He said: "I work at Hawarden Airport and was at the flying school in Cheshire. We were watching them taxiing out. I was surprised when one of them didn't come back but later heard on the news what had happened." Other celebrities attending CarFest included TV chefs James Martin, Tom Kerridge and Paul Hollywood.
CarFest is a motoring and music festival. Live music at the event was scheduled from acts including Primal Scream and Joss Stone.
Mr Evans, a car enthusiast who has just become the new presenter of BBC Top Gear, created the event which raises money for BBC Children in Need.
Other celebrities attending the event included TV chefs James Martin, Tom Kerridge and Paul Hollywood.
A vintage village, a fairground and a beach were also among the attractions.