Victims of microlight crash named

The aircraft crashed a few hundred yards short of the runway

Two men who died when a microlight aircraft crashed as it was trying to land in Herefordshire have been named.

Mark Christopher Taylor, 45, and Rex Antony John Paddock, 56, from Coleford, Gloucestershire, died near to a runway at Shobdon airfield on Saturday.

Mr Taylor, of Berry Hill, and Mr Paddock, of Eastbach, died when the aircraft crashed in a field a few hundred yards short of the runway.

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned this week, police said.

Microlight flyers

The two men are believed to have been flying from the Gloucestershire area when their aircraft came down. It crashed in a farmer's field near Leominster at about 1540 BST.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said there had been a fire at the crash site when paramedics arrived.

The small airfield was open as usual on Sunday and there was no sign of any accident.

The case is being fully investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the West Mercia force said.

They were stalwart members and very good supporters of the competition Rob Keene, competition organiser

It added there were several other microlight flyers present at Shobdon airfield who police believe took off shortly afterwards.

Det Insp Martyn Barnes said: "Some of these pilots may well have seen the crash.

"I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet given their details to police to contact me as soon as possible."

West Mercia Police led the early stages of the investigation before formally handing over to the AAIB on Sunday.

A spokeswoman from the AAIB said: "I cannot say anything apart from that we are investigating. Two investigators are at the scene."

In support of the AAIB, West Mercia Police said it had appointed a family liaison officer to offer the families support and help.

Rob Keene, who organised a competition the pair had been watching before their flight, said: "We're not a very big club, the Severn Valley Microlight Club.

"They were stalwart members and very good supporters of the competition."