Glider crash inquiry starts

Glider crash inquiry starts

The glider crashed soon after leaving a gliding club

An inquiry has been launched after a glider pilot was killed when his plane crashed into a field in Devon.

Police received a call from the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club at about 1230 BST on Thursday, saying a glider had plummeted to the ground.

A police helicopter spotted the wreckage at Higher Ponehydown Farm, in the Blackborough area of east Devon.

The pilot, who was in his late 40s and from Dorset, was declared dead at the scene.

Next of kin are being informed, but police say it could be a couple of days before formal identification takes place.

An inquiry has been launched by the Civil Aviation Authority and the crash area is sealed off while air accident investigators examine the site.

Police spokeswoman Sharon Newman said the glider was being towed from the gliding club at Broadhembury and fell to the ground shortly after it was released.