Pilot killed in glider collision

The wreckage of one glider was found after a search by the RAF

One man has died and another was injured when two gliders collided in North Yorkshire.

The two single-seat aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision near Sutton Bank Gliding Club.

The body of one of the pilots was found in wreckage on wooded land to the south of the club, a North Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

The second man parachuted out of his glider and is not believed to have been seriously injured.

He landed in trees and had to be cut free by firemen.

Helicopter search

Debris from the crash landed on the A170 road and diversions have been put in place, police said.

Two RAF search and rescue helicopters assisted with the search for the pilots and the Great North Air Ambulance also went to the scene.

The North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Both men are from outside the county and we're currently contacting their families.

"Some debris has fallen on the road, which is expected to remain closed for some time."

A Yorkshire Gliding Club spokesman said: "The accident has been reported to the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the British Gliding Association, who have begun an investigation into the accident.

"The club would like to thank the [emergency] services for their swift actions."

Monday's accident is the second fatal crash involving a pilot from the Yorkshire Gliding Club in the last few weeks.

On 30 August, a 56-year-old man was critically injured when his aircraft crashed on landing. He later died in hospital.