A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a helicopter pilot killed in a crash yesterday alongside a teenager from Germany.
Ian MacDonald, 66, was trying to land his 2016 Guiumbal Cabri G2 at his home at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales just before midday when it crashed.
The passenger, who was described as a 16-year-old German national, was also killed.
Flight data shows the pair were returning to the village of Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorks., after a flight from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Ian's partner Julia Smith shared an image of him online after the tragedy. One Facebook user replied 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 mum, Audrey, wrote: "With great sadness, my daughter Julia's partner Ian has been killed in a helicopter accident on Monday, June 20 - love from all of us xx."
Fire crews and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service were also scrambled to the scene, where the helicopter came down in a field near the Rivers Edge Caravan Park.
Yesterday North Yorkshire Police confirmed two people have tragically died in the horror incident.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “A full investigation is underway into the cause of a helicopter crash near Ingleton.
“The incident happened shortly before midday in a field off Bentham Road near Burton in Lonsdale.
“Two people were sadly killed as a result of the crash. Their families are being supported by specially trained officers."
Cllr Stuart Handley, ward councillor for Burton 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 to all of them. It is a tragedy which the whole community feels."
Cllr Peter Thompson, chairman of Burton in Lonsdale Parish Council added that the news had “shocked” the close-knit community.
He said: “We only learned officially last night who the two were who were killed and it has shocked everyone in this close-knit community.
"Ian Macdonald was a great support to the village. He had done a lot of work with the village shop.
"[The exchange student] was just 16 but had been very involved with the jubilee celebrations.
"He was on my pub quiz team although only had soft drinks due to his age.
"He was very good and very popular. He was an exchange student and had chosen England and Andy Ive to stay with.
"He was just coming to the end of his three-month exchange and was preparing to return home to Berlin soon.
"My condolences go out to both families. We are all in deep shock and this will affect the whole community for a very long time."
Andy Ive wrote a message on Facebook that was given to the Craven Herald and Pioneer and read: "I need to let you all know that Ian Macdonald and the young German student staying with me were both killed in the (helicopter) crash. Families have been told. We are devastated."
One resident told The Sun that Ian had recently taken in a Ukrainian family fleeing the war.
They said: "He crashed whilst landing it. It's a manoeuvre he has done many, many times.
"He is a lovely man. He is currently housing a Ukrainian family. I don’t know what they will do now."
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has since launched an investigation.
