Married couple among dead after plane crash on rail line
Three people dead after plane crash on West Coast Main Line
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Saturday, 03, Jan 2009 08:02
Three people - including a couple who have two children - have died after a light aircraft crashed onto the busiest rail line in the UK.
Police have confirmed pilot Alan Matthews and Nich and Emma O'Brien were killed in the crash on the West Coast Main Line.
Mr Matthews' Piper Cherokee light aircraft crashed shortly before 12:00 GMT on Friday, hitting overhead power lines near Little Haywood in Staffordshire, before landing next to the rail line.
The crash could have severe ramifications for commuters with all rail services between Rugby and Stafford suspended.
Travellers journeying between London Euston and north-west England are also likely to experience a reduced service and delays of up to 60 minutes as trains are diverted through Coventry.
Replacement bus services are being arranged by London Midland, the rail operator confirmed.
"The line [between Rugby and Stafford] is expected to be closed until Monday January 5th," a statement said.
"We are operating buses to all affected stations to enable passengers to continue their journeys."
Local resident Derek Higgott said he had seen the small white plane career into the ground at the fork between two rail lines.
"I was working in my garden. We've got a raised gazebo so I was up on the steps," he explained.
"I heard the plane, I looked up, and suddenly it just turned and went straight down like a stunt plane.
"There was a huge thud and black smoke. You could feel the vibration from it and a huge flock of birds all took off."
Mr Matthews, registered as a company director of Sittles Farm Flying Club, had 19 years of flying experience, according to his widow Jenny.