Home
Location UK
This is the first picture of the 16-year-old girl who died after her hang glider plunged to the ground on a training flight.
Experienced pilot Lois Preston was taking part in the exercise at Ashbourne, Derbys, when her glider crashed on Friday afternoon.
She was rushed to hospital in Nottingham but died later from her injuries.
Before the flight Lois had tweeted: 'In a great mood!' She added the hashtag 'Couldn't be better'
Experts are trying to piece together the cause of the crash as Lois, who had been hang gliding since she was 14, was well known in the community as being an experienced flyer.
Friends of college student Lois, of Warrington, Cheshire, wrote of their sadness on her Facebook page.
Lois's brother, Sam Preston, wrote: 'I miss you so much it kills me. I hope you know although I didn't say it much that I love you and I am extremely proud of you and all your accomplishments.
'You are the best sister a brother could ask for.'
Lawrie Noctor, an instructor at Airways Airsports, the company which operated the airfield where the tragedy took place, said: 'Such a talented young girl! I will eternally miss you and remember the great flying we have managed to do together!
'You will never be forgotten and will be on all of our thoughts. It was an absolute pleasure flying with you, keep thermalling high! Love to all the familly and friends.'
Lois had been hang gliding since she was 14. Her father, Mark, and brother were also learning to hang glide.
After Lois passed a hang gliding qualification earlier this year Judy Heden, of Airways Airsports, said: 'It's quite common to see at least two of the Prestons thermalling above Darley Moor at any one time.
'Lois is already showing the signs of becoming a talented pilot - this girl is one to watch!'
Derbyshire Police are working with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to determine the cause of the tragedy.
A spokesman for the AAIB said: 'Investigations continue today. The glider will be taken to AAIB headquarters in Farnborough.'
A member of staff at Airways Airsports, based at Darley Moor airfield near Ashbourne, said the company was unable to comment while the incident was under investigation.
A police spokesman said: 'At approximately 13.45 on Friday 28 October, a hang glider crashed to the ground during a training flight at Darley Moor, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
'Unfortunately the 16-year-old pilot died from her injuries shortly afterwards at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. Police are working with air accident investigators to determine the cause of this tragedy
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... shire.html
