Glider crash inquiry opens

An investigation has begun into how a glider pilot from south Cumbria crashed in a field in North Yorkshire.

Lynn Martindale is critically ill in Leeds General Infirmary after the accident which happened at 1630 BST on Sunday.

Mrs Martindale, a member of the Lakes Gliding Club, was planning to fly from Walney across the Pennines to another gliding club in Yorkshire.

She came down in a field near Massam, south of Richmond over the Pennines and was taken to hospital by helicopter.

Radio communication

Her husband is believed to be at her bedside.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will carry out an inquiry with the British Gliding Association.

Officials visited the scene on Monday to examine the wreckage.

They will also look at any radio transmissions Mrs Martindale may have made and the aircraft's data logger - which records the glider's height and position - to try to find out what happened.