From the Stoke on Trent Sentinel Web Site.
Condolences to the family.
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BREAKING NEWS: POLICE NAME PILOT KILLED IN PLANE CRASH
Police this afternoon named a pilot who died after his light aircraft crashed into a field in South Cheshire.
He is John Bell, aged 51, from Wilmslow.
Mr Bell crashed the aircraft in a field near Worleston, near Nantwich, yesterday afternoon. He is believed to have been the only occupant of the plane.
The crash happened in a cornfield, near Worleston Lane, at about 4.45pm.
The Air Accident branch of the Department of Transport has launched a full investigation into the crash and the scene was sealed off yesterday afternoon.
Peter Eichorn, aged 63, who lives in Station Road, Worleston, was at the scene when the accident happened. Mr Eichorn said the pilot had taken off from a small airstrip nearby but suffered engine failure.
He said: "The plane was a home-built kit. It took off from a strip nearby and suffered engine failure. The aircraft was about 100 feet up and just seemed to drop straight down after take-off. It totally disintegrated when it hit the ground.
"I was nearby with a few other people and we were in shock. We ran over to see if we could do anything but it was impossible. The pilot was trapped in the wreckage. I managed to get to him but there was nothing I could do so we waited for the emergency services.
"It's the first time the pilot has been to this airstrip because he usually uses one at Lymm. I spoke to him and he was very excited to fly here for the first time."
The small airstrip is on Dairyfields Farm, which belongs to farmer Fred Percival.
He said: "I've been here for 30 years and there's never been an accident before."
Police say Mr Bell was travelling alone in the two-seater light aircraft.
A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Emergency services attended the scene to find a two-seater light aircraft had crashed into a cornfield. The male pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries."
Councillor Brian Silvester, leader of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, said: "This is terrible news. I shouldn't imagine a lot of pilots fly aircrafts in this area but to learn a Cheshire man has died as a result of the crash is very upsetting."
Nantwich councillor John Dwyer added: "I'm very sorry to hear about this tragic accident and my thoughts are with the family of the pilot who died.
"The only saving grace is that no-one else was injured and the pilot managed to avoid any houses."
Witnesses to the accident are being asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000.
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