Two killed in microlight crash

The microlight crashed in a field next to the airfield

Two men have been killed in a microlight crash at an airfield in north Herefordshire.

The aircraft crashed in a farmer's field a few hundred yards short of the runway at Shobdon Airfield, near Leominster, at about 1540 BST.

It is believed they had been flying from an airfield in Gloucestershire, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

A post-mortem examination of the men is expected to be carried out on Tuesday.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The first medical help to arrive at the scene was the Welsh Air Ambulance from Welshpool.

Burning wreckage

"It had been coming in to the airfield to refuel when it was requested to assist.

"When ambulance staff arrived it was clear that there had been a fire at the crash site.

"Sadly, it was also apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the two men on board the aircraft and they were confirmed dead at the scene."

The AAIB said the wreckage of the microlight would be taken to Farnborough on Sunday afternoon for investigation.

A report is expected in about six months' time.