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The pilot of a helicopter which crashed on take-off had just returned from a trip flying over King Power stadium to fulfil the dying wish of a Leicester City fan.

Andy Morris had landed the borrowed £300,000 Robinson R44 aircraft on a large field at the rear of his parents’ home, in Shilton Road, Barwell, near Hinckley, to drop off his passengers after the trip.

But as he tried to take off again, disaster struck.

Andy, 47, of Stapleton, near Hinckley, had flown terminal cancer sufferer Dave Richardson, 47, of Hinckley, and his nephew, 20-year-old Joe Adcock, and Joe's girlfriend, Tia Tomlinson, over the King Power Stadium in an uneventful hour-long trip.


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But when the experienced helicopter pilot tried to take off again, his parents, local builder Tony Morris, 78, and his wife, Janet, could only watch in horror as the drama unfolded.

The passengers who had just alighted also sat aghast at what was unfolding before their eyes.

The single-rotor aircraft seemed unable to take off before tilting over, scattering bits of rotor and other aircraft parts over a wide area.

The group then watched in disbelief as Andy climbed out, apparently unscathed, after crashing through the windscreen in the impact, which tore off the tail section and wrecked the rotor blade.


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Mum Janet said: “I was just shouting, ‘Andy, get out, get out’."

Dad Tony, a well known local builder and owner of Tony Morris Properties, said: “Can you imagine watching this while your son is in the aircraft with that happening?

“I’ve been to church this morning to say thank you for what is nothing less than a miracle. It could have been an absolute tragedy.”

He added: “Dave’s dying wish was to go up in a helicopter over the King Power Stadium.

"Andy has held a helicopter pilot’s licence for 10 years and said he would see what he could do.

“When they landed and we were sitting round having a glass of orange squash, Dave said it was the best day of his life.”


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“Andy got back in the helicopter, did all his safety checks and the engine was revving up," said Janet.

“But the rear end wouldn’t lift and all of a sudden it toppled over. Thankfully, when he got out, there was hardly a scratch on him.

“He borrowed the helicopter from a friend who has been to see him since, and hugged him to say he was glad he survived.”

Both parents praised the “fantastic” efforts of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service who went to the incident.

Mr Richardson’s mum, Sandra, 74, of Hinckley, said of her son's once-in-a-lifetime trip: “Dave really enjoyed it, he was as high as a kite, he was so excited, but he had difficulty sleeping last night after what happened, but he did have a marvellous time.


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“I’m a friend of Andy’s mum and dad and when they heard about Dave’s wish, Tony said ‘leave it with me’.

"It’s an awful thing to have happened at the end of such a lovely trip.”

A party of adults and children enjoying a swimming party at a nearby property, expressed concern when parts of the aircraft which flew off were only prevented from hitting them by a tall hedged area.

Lisa Mason, 45, said: “We were terrified, it was so close. I ran and told the kids to follow me. It’s a good job there were trees and bushes in the way to stop the debris hitting us.”

Friend Scott Tetchner, 43, who was at the party with his son and Lisa’s husband, Paul, 42, said: “The tail rotor came off and hit the top of the hedge. There was a big bang and the kids cleared the area.”

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident involving a helicopter near Barwell, Leicestershire, yesterday.

"We are not sending a team to investigate but have had initial discussions with the pilot.”

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OMG, that is such a tragic accident,literally lost for words,

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Originally Posted by aa777888 (Post 10536780)

That article makes it sound like it might have been dynamic rollover.

Originally Posted by John Eacott (Post 10536814)

If you read either report and watch the video, it appears more likely that he has backed up when lifting to the hover, struck something with the TR then the tail has snapped sharply to its right (nose left) and the tail then appears to come to an abrupt halt on a solid structure.

Originally Posted by Autonomous Collectiv (Post 10537021)

“I’ve been to church this morning to say thank you for what is nothing less than a miracle. It could have been an absolute tragedy.”

Cos that makes it all ok....?! By the same logic didn't God do it?