London helicopter crash pilot named as Pete Barnes

London helicopter crash pilot named as Pete Barnes

January 16, 2013

The pilot who died in this morning's helicopter crash in London has been named as Mortimer businessman Captain Pete Barnes.

The 50-year-old, who started his successful aviation career around 25 years ago, is managing director of Helivision Ltd based in Mortimer.

Mr Barnes was killed this morning when his helicopter crashed into a crane in central London at about 8am.

One other person died and 12 were injured in the incident.

Mr Barnes, who has piloted helicopters in action scenes in movies Die Another Day, Tomb Raider II and Saving Private Ryan also?worked for flight operator RotorMotion.

The helicopter spun out of control and crash-landed near Vauxhall station after the pilot attempted to divert the aircraft to a helipad due to bad weather.

The AgustaWestland 109 Power clipped a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential towers, falling from the sky before exploding into flames and crashing into the streets below.

Metropolitan Police commander Neil Basu said: "The helicopter was on a scheduled flight from Surrey. It was scheduled to fly from Redhill to Elstree but it was diverted."

Captain Philip Amadeus, managing director of RotorMotion, an executive helicopter charter business, said the aircraft was on a commercial flight from Redhill, in Surrey, to Elstree.

He said: "Our main priority now is for the family of the pilot and we extend our greatest sympathy to the friends and relatives of those who have died and been injured."

RotorMotion spokesman Paul Blezard added: ?His colleagues are devastated. The loss of Captain Pete Barns is a great tragedy not only for the British aviation industry but for RotorMotion as well. He was one of the most highly skilled and highly qualified helicopter pilots in the UK with 12,000 hours and he flew for a number of companies as well as flying air ambulances."

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Source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2127268_london_helicopter_crash_pilot_named_as_pete_barnes

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