Two killed in air collision

Two men died after a mid-air collision between two light aircraft in Staffordshire.

The pair died when their two-seater Luscombe Silvaire plane crashed close to the village of Admaston, near Rugeley at 12.20pm yesterday.

The scene of the wreckage was sealed off by police overnight and air accident experts were due to continue a detailed examination of the crash site today.

Few details have been released about the two casualties, but they are believed to be from North Staffordshire.

Senior investigator Tim Atkinson, said it was believed the plane was from the local area and took off from a nearby airfield. The second aircraft, was carrying three people but managed to land safely at East Midlands Airport about 25 miles away.

It is believed this plane had taken off from the Lake District. The bodies of the two victims were removed from the scene last night and police are expected to reveal their identities later today.

Tim Atkinson, from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau said it was too early to say exactly what had caused the collision but weather conditions were clear and visibility was fine.

He said both planes were privately owned on leisure flights and were not under air traffic control when they collided.

Such procedure is normal for the size of plane, he added.

"Aircraft do collide," said Mr Atkinson. "Mid-air collisions are mercifully very rare, a great deal of general aviation is done on the principle that the pilot keeps a good look-out."

He said the second aircraft had bee so badly damaged that it was not able to make it off the runway at East Midlands Airport.

The airport was closed for several hours while flights were diverted to Manchester and Birmingham.

All three passengers on the second plane escaped serious injury.