A glider pilot died in an accident at an Essex airfield.
The man was taking off from Ridgewell Airfield on the Essex/Suffolk border yesterday afternoon when it is believed the winch cable that was launching his aircraft snapped.
This sent the glider plummeting 300ft to the ground.
Ambulance crews were called to the scene just after the accident took place at about 1.45pm.
The air ambulance was the first to get to the scene and confirmed the pilot was already dead by the time it had arrived.
A statement made by the Essex Gliding Club confirmed the pilot was a member and was flying a DG600 glider when it crashed.
The statement added: "At present, there is no indication as to the cause of the accident. Further details will not be available until released by the Air Accident Investigation board or the police."
The man who died has not been formally identified. It is believed he was in his 70s and lived in Suffolk.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, September 19, 2005
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