Police have today named the victims of the helicopter crash in North Yorkshire.
The helicopter came down in a field near Burton in Lonsdale in the Craven district yesterday (Monday, 20 June).
Two people died in the incident, and investigations into the crash are continuing today.
The two victims were local man Ian Macdonald, aged 66, and and 16-year-old Admarsu Birhan, a German national.
The families are being supported by specially trained officers.
Ian was a helicopter pilot living in Burton in Lonsdale and Admarsu was staying with Andy Ive and his family in the village.
On Facebook, Andy wrote: “The helicopter crash near Burton in Lonsdale village, has taken the lives of the pilot and the young German lad that has been living with us. There are no words…”
Craven district councillor Stuart Handley, who lives in Burton in Lonsdale, said Mr Macdonald was well-liked in the village.
He said: “My condolences go to the family of Ian Macdonald and also the German exchange student’s family.
“Ian hadn’t been living in the village for a very long time but he made himself very well known within the community.
“He was a very well-liked person within the village.”
Coming in to land
Mr Handley said Burton in Lonsdale was a friendly village and Mr Macdonald was often seen in its shop and pub.
“He would call me up if I saw him out and about and I’d go and have a word with him,” he said.
“Or in the shop if he was having a coffee or a pint down the local. He fitted in well.”
According to reports, Mr Macdonald was coming in to land his own Guimbal Cabri G2 aircraft near his home when the crash happened in a field near the village
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Formal identification is yet to take place.
“Please respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
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Emergency services workers wearing high-vis jackets were seen working within a giant cordon in the area of rural land where the helicopter came down yesterday.
A local farmer, who did not want to be named, said: “I didn’t hear any bang because I was out on my tractor, but a large plume of thick black smoke caught my attention.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has sent a team of investigators to the scene in North Yorkshire.
A statement said: “The AAIB has been notified of an accident in Burton in Lonsdale, North Yorkshire involving a light helicopter. An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are travelling to the accident site to begin making inquiries.”