Tragedy of glider pilot

Mark Smallwood, from Tipton, died when his glider crashed on take-off at the prestigious Midland Gliding Club, based on the Long Mynd hills, Shropshire.

The 49-year-old had recently moved to the town from Droitwich after separating from his wife.

A former member of the Worcester Model Aero Club and keen scuba diver and paraglider, Mr Smallwood worked as a computer analyst for an IT firm and had two children Peter, aged 15, and Lucy, 12.

They were today being comforted by his wife Ruth and sisters Julie Rowlands and Jenny Heighway following Sunday's tragedy, which is being investigated by air crash experts.

Mrs Rowlands, who lives in Redditch, said the family has taken comfort from the fact he was doing something he was passionate about.

Mrs Heighway, who lives in the Isle of Wight with Mr Smallwood's parents David and Joy, said: "Mark had always loved model planes and gliding.

"The paramedics and everyone at the club were absolutely fantastic offering support to the family."

Jon Hall, chairman of Midland Gliding Club, said: "Mark loved the Long Mynd for its peace and long gliding history. He died doing what he loved best."

Mr Smallwood was an experienced paraglider who joined the Midland Gliding Club in 2008 to learn to fly sailplanes. Mr Hall added: "He quickly gained solo status and was energetically pursuing his goal of a silver badge which would enable him to fly cross-country."

A post mortem was being carried out at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital today and an inquest will be opened shortly. Mr Smallwood's funeral will be held at St Augustine's Church, Dodderhill, near Droitwich, on Tuesday at 2.15pm.