Air crash investigation continues

The helicopter came down in a field near Winchcombe on Saturday

Investigations are continuing into the cause of a helicopter crash in Gloucestershire at the weekend which killed three people.

Two men and a woman died when the ex-military Gazelle came down in heavy mist in Winchcombe on Saturday.

One of the three is believed to be a businessman from Tamworth in Staffordshire.

Police said they would not confirm the identities of the victims until post-mortem examinations were completed.

Crash investigators have been examining the helicopter in a field at Langley Hill Farm where it fell.

Emergency services said all those on board were killed in a "wreck of mangled metal".

No mayday call was received: pic Air Teams Images

One of the three was named locally as Roderick Paskey, 55, who was a co-owner of the helicopter and a company director from Tamworth.

Kevin Dickens, spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service, said no mayday call was received before the crash.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter was flying from Stratford-on-Avon and was due to land at Yeovilton, Somerset.

The Gazelle is a French-designed helicopter which can hold five people, including the pilot.

It has a top speed of 193mph (310km/h) and is used by both the military, for reconnaissance, and by private pilots.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version