A British glider pilot has been killed in a mid-air collision during a competition in Italy. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon near the town of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, when two gliders collided and crashed to the ground.
The pilot of one glider died at the scene, while the other pilot survived with minor injuries. The wreckage of the gliders was scattered over a half-mile radius, with debris landing near homes and a busy road.
Witnesses described seeing the gliders flying together before one clipped the rear of the other, causing it to spiral downwards. Emergency services declared a major incident and attended the scene.
Local resident Amanda Coombs expressed shock, saying the pilot narrowly missed houses and the main road. The accident is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
