Microlight pilot dies after crashing into pylons
[gallery] A pilot has died after his microlight crashed into power lines near Bridgnorth.
Paramedics battled to save Andy Tollerton, aged 52, after his two-seater aircraft struck lines in a field in Stourton last night but he died at the scene.
His devastated family today said the father of two had died "doing what he loved to do".
The crash wiped out power to properties in the surrounding area. Emergency services were called to the scene by Barratt's Coppice, Bridgnorth Road, at about 6pm. Staffordshire Police have been examining the scene of the crash and an investigation into the circumstances is being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which sent a team of specialists to Stourton yesterday.
A three-man investigation team remained at the scene today where the aircraft has been cordoned off by police. Police said his family would be supported by specially-trained officers.
Mr Tollerton's sister-in-law today paid tribute to Mr Tollerton, from Wollaston.
She said: "He was a loving dad and husband. He absolutely doted on his daughters, who are both teenagers. He was passionate about flying and he died doing what he loved to do."
Geoff Walton, a paramotor pilot, who had been flying yesterday afternoon and had set off from nearby Kinver, said he had seen a man setting up to take off in the field by family charity Living Springs yesterday evening.
The 56-year-old, from Norton, Stourbridge, said he had been flying three or four years and never seen anyone else take off from that spot.
After landing in Kinver, he drove to the field to speak to the man he had seen from the air.
"I spoke to him and his wife and he said he had permission to take off from the field. That must have been at 5.30pm.
"I watched him take off towards Kinver. When you land here you have to get down quick because of the wires."
Robin Needs who owns the field, said he was harvesting potatoes about a half a mile away.
He said the pilot circled and hit the wires straight above where the aircraft crashed. Mr Needs called the emergency services and then his wife Vicky, a first aider, went to help the man. She held his hand and told him help was on the way.
"He had used the field at least dozen times. I know him as Microlight Andy. He's a lovely chap and this was his hobby," he said.
