Heartbroken family pays tribute to helicopter pilot killed in crash with teenage passenger

Ian MacDonald, 66, was attempting to land his 2016 Guiumbal Cabri G2 near his home on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales just before midday when it crashed – the passenger was described as a 16-year-old German national

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Burton in Lonsdale: Emergency services respond to helicopter crash

A heartbroken family has paid tribute to a helicopter pilot who was killed in a crash alongside a teenager from Germany yesterday.

Ian MacDonald, 66, was attempting to land his 2016 Guiumbal Cabri G2 at his home on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales just before midday when it crashed.

The passenger, described as a 16-year-old German national, was also killed.

Flight data show the couple returned to the village of Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorks, after flying from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Ian’s partner Julia Smith shared a picture of him online following the tragedy. A Facebook user responded to Julia’s photo with, “Thoughts and prayers are with you Julia.”

Another added, “So sorry to hear this sad news Julia and family… Thinking of you all.”

Her mother Audrey wrote: “It is with great sadness that my daughter Julia’s partner Ian passed away in a helicopter accident on Monday 20th June – love from us all xx.”

Firefighters and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service were also rushed to the scene, where the helicopter crashed in a field near Rivers Edge Caravan Park.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday that two people have tragically died in the horror incident.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “A full investigation is underway into the cause of a helicopter crash near Ingleton.

“The incident happened just before noon in a field on Bentham Road near Burton in Lonsdale.

“Unfortunately, two people died in the crash. Their families are supported by specially trained officials.”

Cllr Stuart Handley, Burton Local Councilor in Lonsdale, said the tragic deaths were a “terrible loss” for both families.

He said: “It is a terrible loss for both families and my condolences go out to them all.

Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of Burton on Lonsdale Parish Council, added that the news had “shocked” the close-knit community.

He said: “We only found out officially last night who the two who were killed were and it has shocked everyone in this close-knit community.

“Ian Macdonald has been a great support to the village. He had done a lot of work with the village shop.

“[The exchange student] was only 16 years old but had been heavily involved in the anniversary celebrations.

“He was on my pub quiz team even though due to his age he only had soft drinks.

“He was very good and very popular. He was an exchange student and had chosen England and Andy Ive to stay with him.

“He was just nearing the end of his three-month exchange and preparing to return to Berlin soon.

“My condolences go out to both families. We are all deeply shocked and this will affect the whole community for a very long time.”

Andy Ive wrote a message on Facebook given to the Craven Herald and Pioneer and read: ‘I must let you all know that Ian Macdonald and the young German student who lives with me were both killed in the (helicopter) crash. Families have been informed. We are devastated.”

A local resident tells The sun that Ian had recently taken in a Ukrainian family fleeing the war.

They said: “He crashed on landing. It’s a maneuver he’s done many, many times.

“He’s a lovely man. He is currently hosting a Ukrainian family. I don’t know what they will do now.”

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Division (BFU) has meanwhile initiated an investigation.