A criminal investigation has been launched into the crash of a small aircraft in Essex that killed two men in June. Pilot Dylan Patel, 26, from Southall, London, and passenger Vamshi Mandala, 25, from India, died when a two-seat Cessna crashed in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar, on June 30, shortly after taking off from North Weald airfield around seven miles away.
Inquest suspended pending criminal probe
Senior coroner for Essex Lincoln Brookes opened an inquest on Thursday (August 13) and said he had received a request from Essex Police to suspend proceedings pending a criminal investigation. The criminal probe will run in parallel with an investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, according to reports from MyLondon.
Coroner’s officer Deborah Wallace told the hearing at Chelmsford County Hall that Mr Patel had been the pilot of the aircraft when it “unexpectedly crashed”. Post-mortem examinations provisionally found both men died from “multiple injuries”, pending toxicology results.
Coroner offers condolences
Addressing the court, including family members who joined remotely, the coroner said the “unexpected deaths of both these young men in such a traumatic circumstances can only be described as truly disturbing”. He added: “I’m sure that their passing has left a huge hole in all of their lives and I offer my deepest condolences to you all.”
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be set. After the hearing, police published photographs of both victims.
Police continue investigation
Detective Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: “My thoughts, and those of my officers, are with the family and friends of Vamshi and Dylan as they continue to grieve. The process of formal identification has been a complex one and one we have carried out with utmost sensitivity.”
He added: “I want to thank those who responded to the incident and who have continued to investigate for the way they’ve carried out their work, ensuring the dignity of Vamshi and Dylan. We continue to work in parallel with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau so we can give their families the answers they need about what happened.”
