Gyrocopter pilot killed in crash

Police officers at the scene with the wreckage in the background

A 58-year-old pilot died when a gyrocopter crashed into a field in north Dorset, police have said.

An eyewitness said he saw a "fireball hurtling to the ground" shortly after watching another aircraft land safely.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Kington Magna near Gillingham at about 1900 BST. The victim is thought to be a man from Blandford.

Eyewitness Chris Lyle, who was fishing nearby, said he believed a microlight landed before the fireball appeared.

He said: "We looked up and saw a microlight land, then a separate fireball hurtling to the ground like a brick. I assume it was a second microlight or another airborne vehicle.

Accident investigation

"It all went quiet then we heard the sirens and saw the helicopter shining a light on to the site.

"I've seen eight or 10 fire engines and police cars at the scene."

Police sealed off the scene close to Back Lane and Pill Meadow while they waited for investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch from Farnborough, Hampshire, to arrive.

The pilot's next of kin has been informed but details of his identity have not yet been released.

An access road to Pill Meadow was closed overnight.