Plane crash victims named

The pilot killed in a plane crash near to one of Britain's busiest railway lines has been named as Black Country father Alan Matthews.

And his two passengers, who also died in the crash were today named as Nick O'Brien, aged 35, and his wife Emma, aged 29, from Shirley, Solihull.

Mr and Mrs O'Brien have two children - Callum, aged 10 ,and Joel, aged 18 months.

Mr Matthews' heartbroken widow Jenny today paid tribute to her "fun-loving" 59-year-old husband.

The Piper Cherokee, belonging to Mr Matthews, of Walsall Wood, ploughed into power lines above the West Coast Main Lane at Colwich near Stafford yesterday, just eight minutes after an express train had passed through.

Mrs Matthews has told how her husband was heavily involved with Sittles Flying Club at Sittles Farm Airfield in Fradley, near Lichfield.

She said he had owned his four-seater aircraft for 12 years and used it to travel as far afield as France, Spain,Ireland and the Isle of Wight.

The 61-year-old said: "He was loving, caring and would help anybody. He was an experienced pilot and loved his flying."

Chief Insp Paul Richards, of British Transport Police, confirmed that the remains of the aircraft would be removed from the scene today. Speaking at a cordon set up less than 50 yards from the crash site, the officer said: "A comprehensive search of the site is under way and arrangements will then be made to remove the wreckage."

Mr Richards said experts from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch were examining the site.

Mr Matthews' wife said he had 19 years of flying experience and it was thought he had arranged to go flying with a work colleague and possibly another person.

John Gatrell, secretary of Sittles Flyers, said: "He was a very experienced pilot, one of the most experienced in the club. He had been a member for several years and was very popular.

"He attended many social events and flyouts. It is a real shock and he'll be sadly missed."

Last night all rail services on the West Coast Mainline between Rugby and Stafford remained suspended and British Transport Police warned the line was unlikely to be fully repaired this weekend.

Rail passengers were warned to expect further travel misery today in the aftermath of the fatal aircraft crash on the key railway route