Tributes paid to men who died in light aircraft crash

Tributes have been paid to two men who died in a light aircraft crash in Overbury last week.

John Smith, aged 52, who was originally from Jersey and lived in Moreton-in-Marsh, and a 24-year-old man from Kuwait, who was living in Coventry whilst training, both sadly died in the incident on Monday 8 January.

The following tribute has been provided by Aeros Flight Training:
 
"Aeros regret to confirm that an instructor and student died in an aircraft crash in Gloucestershire on Monday 8 January 2018. 

Nick Dunn, Managing Director, said: "This accident has shocked and saddened everyone in the company. John Smith, the senior instructor at our Coventry business was highly experienced. He was very popular with both his colleagues and his students - enthusiastic, a great communicator and always ready with one of his famous jokes. 

"The student onboard had been training towards qualification as a commercial pilot, intending to join an airline in the near future. 

"We send our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of both pilots. 

"The cause of this crash is unknown and is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)." 

Both families request that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.