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CarFest resumes after stunt pilot's death CarFest resumes after stunt pilot's death
(34 minutes later)
Chris Evans’ car festival has resumed despite the death of a pilot whose aircraft plummeted from the sky during an aerial display.Chris Evans’ car festival has resumed despite the death of a pilot whose aircraft plummeted from the sky during an aerial display.
Kevin Whyman, 35, was killed in the accident which happened at about 2pm in Oulton Park, Cheshire, on Saturday. Kevin Whyman, 35, was killed in the accident, which happened at about 2pm in Oulton Park, Cheshire, on Saturday.
But Evans, creator of CarFest, said police had advised that it would be best to carry on with the festival on Sunday.But Evans, creator of CarFest, said police had advised that it would be best to carry on with the festival on Sunday.
Cheshire police said they were continuing their investigation at the scene alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch.Cheshire police said they were continuing their investigation at the scene alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Supt Bev Raistrick thanked spectators who submitted videos and pictures of the incident after witnessing the plane crashing to the ground.Supt Bev Raistrick thanked spectators who submitted videos and pictures of the incident after witnessing the plane crashing to the ground.
“We are continuing to work alongside the other agencies involved –including the Air Accident Investigation Branch,” she said. “Enquiries are ongoing in a bid to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. “We are continuing to work alongside the other agencies involved –including the Air Accident Investigation Branch,” she said. “Inquiries are ongoing in a bid to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. Our thoughts remain with all those who have been affected by the incident.’’
“Our thoughts remain with all those who have been affected by the incident.’’ Spectators fell silent as the plane nose-dived after performing a low-level, close-proximity pass before disappearing behind trees. Moments later a plume of thick black smoke billowed into the sky.
Shocked spectators fell silent as the plane suddenly nose-dived after performing a low-level, close-proximity pass before disappearing behind trees. Moments later a plume of thick black smoke billowed in to the sky. Evans said: “There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life ...
Evans, visibly upset, said: “There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life.” Our condolences go out to his family, who have been informed. 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 that there are 10,000 children here – and that is what we are going to do.”
The presenter added: “Our condolences go out to his family, who have been informed. 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 that there are 10,000 children here – and that is what we are going to do.”
Whyman, known as Kev “Jester” Whyman to his friends in the Gnat Display Team, was married and had a young daughter.Whyman, known as Kev “Jester” Whyman to his friends in the Gnat Display Team, was married and had a young daughter.
A statement from the Heritage Aircraft Trust, which runs the team, said: “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. A statement from the Heritage Aircraft Trust, which runs the team, said: “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.
“Kevin leaves a wife and young daughter. Please respect the privacy of family members and of the team at this most difficult time.”“Kevin leaves a wife and young daughter. Please respect the privacy of family members and of the team at this most difficult time.”
Whyman started flying the Folland Gnat in 2005 and was one of the founder members of the Gnat Display Team in 2007. Whyman started flying the Folland Gnat in 2005 and was one of the founder members of the Gnat display team in 2007. He lived in Westminster, central London, and split his leisure time between the airfield during the summer and the ski slopes of the Swiss Alps during the winter.
He lived in Westminster, central London, and split his leisure time between the airfield during the summer months and the ski slopes of the Swiss Alps during the winter.
A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be investigating the incident and sending a team to the site.A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be investigating the incident and sending a team to the site.
CarFest is described on its Twitter profile as Evans’s “dream of the perfect family festival”, featuring cars, planes and music while raising money for BBC Children In Need. CarFest is described on its Twitter profile as Evans’ “dream of the perfect family festival”, featuring cars, planes and music while raising money for BBC Children In Need. The weekend event in Cheshire began on Friday.
The weekend event in Cheshire began on Friday.
Johnathan Randall, an onlooker, tweeted: “Think I’ve just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned.”Johnathan Randall, an onlooker, tweeted: “Think I’ve just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned.”
Chester-born Whyman was sponsored through his school sixth form years by the Royal Navy and later went on to complete the RAF flying scholarship at the age of 18. Chester-born Whyman was sponsored through his school sixth-form years by the Royal Navy and later went on to complete the RAF flying scholarship at the age of 18. He studied economics at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he joined the University Air Squadron and began elementary flying training on the Bulldog aircraft.
He studied economics at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he joined the University Air Squadron and began elementary flying training on the Bulldog aircraft. Away from the skies, Whyman trained with the university boat club and coxed Cambridge to victory in the 1996 and 1997 boat races against Oxford.
Away from the skies, Whyman trained with the University Boat Club and coxed Cambridge to victory in the 1996 and 1997 boat races against Oxford.
His RAF experience, from 1998 to 2001, included initial officer training as well as a spell of fast-jet training in which he worked on the Tucano and Hawk aircraft.His RAF experience, from 1998 to 2001, included initial officer training as well as a spell of fast-jet training in which he worked on the Tucano and Hawk aircraft.
He left the RAF for a trading job with a US investment bank in the City of London. He also completed his civilian flying licences so that he could pursue his passion for flying.He left the RAF for a trading job with a US investment bank in the City of London. He also completed his civilian flying licences so that he could pursue his passion for flying.