Suffolk collision: Pilot is missing after two gliders collide in mid-air as wreckage is left strewn over countryside

  • One pilot was forced to parachute to safety before his plane crashed to the ground

By
Paul Milligan

15:57 EST, 23 July 2012

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17:15 EST, 23 July 2012

A pair of glider pilots had a lucky escape after their aircrafts were involved in a shocking mid air collision.

One of the pilots was forced to leap out of his aircraft using a parachute before his plane plummeted to the ground.

The other pilot was able to keep control of his glider and crash landed in a nearby field in Newmarket, Suffolk.


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Two gliders collided in the Suffolk area landing on the border of Cambridge

Two gliders collided in the Suffolk area landing on the border of Cambridge

One suffered relatively little injuries while the other was knocked out but regained consciousness and was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

The pilots were members of the Cambridge Gliding Centre and had been taking part in the Club Class Nationals 2012.

Club chairman Richard Brickwood, said: ‘There has been a collision involving two gliders who were from the centre. We understand that they are both okay.’

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘Two gliders have been in a collision in the air over Newmarket, Suffolk.

‘One landed on the Chippenham Park Estate. The other pilot ejected and landed using a parachute. Both pilots have been found and are being treated by the ambulance service. We are looking for the other glider.’

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: ‘Two gliders collided in the Suffolk area landing on the border of Cambridge and ambulance arrived at the scene. The air accident investigation branch are looking into the incident.’

One pilot was knocked out but regained consciousness and was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge

One pilot was knocked out but regained consciousness and was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge

Suffolk Police said they received reports of a parachutist coming down from a glider in the Newmarket area at about 4pm today.

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘Two pilots escaped with non life threatening injuries after their gliders collided over Newmarket this afternoon.

‘East of England Ambulance Service crews were called to the incident just before 4pm after eye witnesses reported at least one person had ejected from one of the gliders.

‘Both casualties were located in a field on the east side of Newmarket gallops.

‘One sustained no injuries and the other was initially unconscious but regained consciousness and did not suffer any traumatic injuries. That patient was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital by land ambulance.’

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I filmed the whole event and full coverage of before and after the incident which will be available tomorrow. I have a clip of the man ejecting after the glider fell apart here if anyone’s interested: /watch?v=xNYXoKzbPl8 . Just add onto the end of a youtube link. The full video will be available in the same location.

Ejected? Really?

This is why you must wear a parachute in a glider.
When I was in the cadets we had to be parachute trained before going up

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