Crash claim falters over ecstasy

A father whose teenage son died in a light aircraft crash has been told he will not receive an insurance pay-out because the pilot had taken ecstasy.

Jamie Clapp, 13, from Mangotsfield, near Bristol, died in 2007 when he was a passenger in the Cessna 150 which crashed and burst into flames.

The pilot, 34-year-old Robert Gunter, was also killed.

Mr Clapp said he had hoped the insurers would pay out, so he could afford a £4,000 marble gravestone for his son.

His solicitors said they would not be pursuing the claim, which would have been paid out if the crash had happened as a result of pilot error.

The inquest into Jamie's death heard Mr Gunter, a family friend, had taken ecstasy before the flight, which was an early 14th birthday present.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded in respect of Jamie while Mr Gunter's death was recorded as misadventure.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Jamie Clapp tribute site
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites