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DEADLY GLIDER SMASH

Dramatic pictures show remains of doomed glider that crashed into field killing pilot after mid-air collision with light aircraft

TRAGIC photos show the devastated wreckage of a glider that smashed into a light aircraft and left a man dead.

The glider pilot was killed in the mid-air collision over the fields of Lubenham and Mowsley in Leicestershire yesterday.

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Emergency services rushed to the frost-covered field but the pilot couldn't be savedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The pilot was a member of the Husbands Bosworth Gliding ClubCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The pilot's gliding club has released a statement saying the crash is now under investigationCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Heartbreaking images show the ripped-apart shell of the glider that came crashing down in Lubenham at roughly 12.40pm.

The pilot, who has not yet been named, was a member of the Husbands Bosworth Gliding Club.

The club said in a statement: "On December 4 at approximately 12.40pm, a glider crashed while on a local flight."

They added: "The pilot, who is a club member, has been fatally injured.

"The incident is currently under investigation."

The light aircraft went on to land safely after the crash, police said.

A police spokesman said: "Emergency services were called out to an area off Laughton Road in Lubenham following reports of a glider having landed in the field.

"Officers from Leicestershire Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are conducting an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

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An eyewitness said debris could be seen strewn across the field after the collisionCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The light aircraft managed to land safely after the crashCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

"From initial enquiries carried out at the scene, officers believe the glider had been in collision with a light aircraft prior to coming down in the fields.

"The man on board the glider has been pronounced dead at the scene."

An eyewitness who passed by on foot at about 1.30pm said the glider had appeared to have smashed apart on impact.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "It's a two-seater plane.

"I could see one fatality.

"The cockpit is badly impacted."

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The two-seater plane crashed at roughly 12.40pm yesterday afternoonCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The experienced glider was dead when emergency services arrivedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

He added: "It has landed, but there is not much left of the cockpit.

"There is a lot of damage to the front of the aircraft."

"I am not sure if it has hit something before it crashed, because there is wood across it (the glider).

"The stretch of road from Lubenham to the Mowsley crossroads was closed about 1.45pm - a lot of people were driving along and stopping and looking, which was causing problems."


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