Post-mortem examinations begin after mid-air collision
THE VICTIMS of a mid-air collision between a helicopter and a plane include three Britons and one Vietnamese national, police believe.
Officers, military personnel and air accident experts remained at the scene of the wreckage in woodland near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, yesterday as families waited to formally identify their loved ones.
The bodies of all four men have been recovered from the scene and post-mortem examinations have begun and are set to take several days, Thames Valley Police said.
Superintendent Rebecca Mears said three of the families visited the site on Saturday, just a day after the accident at about noon on Friday.
She said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of the men who have tragically lost their lives.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are continuing to offer their support to the families of the victims affected, three of whom we understand to be British nationals, one of whom is a Vietnamese national.
“Work will today focus on removing the aircraft from the scene which will be done with specialist support.”
Police have not confirmed the identities of the victims, but colleagues named one pilot as Captain Mike Green, who died alongside his young student when their helicopter collided with the light aircraft.
Mr Green was a senior instructor with Helicopter Services, a firm which offers training flights and gift experiences from its base at Wycombe Air Park.
The company said on Facebook: “We have received many messages of support and kind words about our friend who, as a senior instructor and examiner, helped and mentored so many pilots throughout the industry during his distinguished career.
“It was an honour to work with you. Captain Green, you will be greatly missed.”
Captain Phil Croucher, who had known Mr Green for about 20 years after they had served in the Army together, said his death was a “sad loss”.
The aircraft crashed on the Waddesdon Estate, the former country seat of the Rothschild banking dynasty.
The collision happened at 12.06pm and both aircraft, carrying two passengers each, are believed to have come from the Wycombe airstrip, which is about 20 miles from the crash site.
The plane involved was a Cessna 152 built in 1982 and owned by Airways Aero Associations.