Investigators prepare to remove Walsall pilot's crash wreckage
Air accident investigators are preparing to remove the wreckage of a light aircraft which crashed near one of Britain’s busiest railway lines, police said today.
At least two people were killed when the plane ploughed into power lines above the West Coast Main Line yesterday and inquiries are ongoing to establish whether a third victim also died.
Chief Inspector Paul Richards, of British Transport Police, confirmed that the remains of the aircraft would be removed from the scene today.
Speaking at a cordon set up less than 50 yards from the crash site, the officer said: “A comprehensive search of the site is under way and arrangements will then be made to remove the wreckage.”
Mr Richards said experts from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch were examining the site and had “primacy” in the inquiry.
Meanwhile, British Transport Police is continuing to liaise with Staffordshire Police to confirm the identities of those killed.
“We believe that there were at least two people (on board the aircraft) but that is the subject of an ongoing inquiry at the moment,” Ch Insp Richards added.
The pilot of the plane has been named by relatives as 59-year-old Alan Matthews, from Walsall, West Midlands.
Mr Matthews’ wife, Jenny, said he had 19 years of flying experience and it was thought he had arranged to go flying with a work colleague and possibly another person.
Police last night confirmed two deaths, but a spokeswoman said they believed a third person had also died and a pathologist is expected to confirm this today.
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