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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gyrocopter pilot killed in crash | Gyrocopter pilot killed in crash |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A pilot died when a gyrocopter crashed into a field in north Dorset, police have said. | A pilot died when a gyrocopter crashed into a field in north Dorset, police have said. |
| An eyewitness said he saw a "fireball hurtling to the ground" shortly after watching another aircraft land safely. | An eyewitness said he saw a "fireball hurtling to the ground" shortly after watching another aircraft land safely. |
| Emergency services were called to the scene at Kington Magna near Gillingham at about 1900 BST. The victim is believed to be from the Blandford area. | |
| Eyewitness Chris Lyle, who was fishing nearby, said he believed a microlight landed before the fireball appeared. | Eyewitness Chris Lyle, who was fishing nearby, said he believed a microlight landed before the fireball appeared. |
| He said: "We looked up and saw a microlight land, then a separate fireball hurtling to the ground like a brick. I assume it was a second microlight or another airborne vehicle. | He said: "We looked up and saw a microlight land, then a separate fireball hurtling to the ground like a brick. I assume it was a second microlight or another airborne vehicle. |
| Accident investigation | Accident investigation |
| "It all went quiet then we heard the sirens and saw the helicopter shining a light on to the site. | "It all went quiet then we heard the sirens and saw the helicopter shining a light on to the site. |
| "I've seen eight or 10 fire engines and police cars at the scene." | "I've seen eight or 10 fire engines and police cars at the scene." |
| Police have sealed off the scene close to Back Lane and Pill Meadow while they wait for investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch from Farnborough, Hampshire, to arrive. | Police have sealed off the scene close to Back Lane and Pill Meadow while they wait for investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch from Farnborough, Hampshire, to arrive. |
| The pilot's next of kin has been informed but details of his identity have not yet been released. | The pilot's next of kin has been informed but details of his identity have not yet been released. |
| An access road to Pill Meadow will be closed overnight, a police spokesman added. | An access road to Pill Meadow will be closed overnight, a police spokesman added. |
| Gyrocopters, sometimes known as autogyros, resemble small helicopters, and like helicopters use a rotor system to develop lift. |