Two people had lucky escape after helicopter crash in Fleet Hargate

Two people had a lucky escape after their helicopter crashed at a well-known cafe earlier today.

The blue helicopter was taking off at the Anglia Motel in Fleet Hargate when the blades hit a pole and caused the aircraft to crash land.

Staff from the cafe rushed out with fire extinguishers after the helicopter’s engine had caught fire.

The helicopter’s passenger side door had been smashed off as a result of the collision and wreckage from the crash has been embedded in the ground.

Harold Payne, who owns the cafe and is a well-known veteran’s campaigner, said: “They were very lucky.

“They are ok just a bit shook up. The passenger side door was smashed off.”

Mr Payne said the pilot had arrived at the cafe earlier today to drop off a £1,000 donation for the veteran campaigner’s charity work.

He said: “The pilot has been coming here for 20 years.

“The sun was in his eyes. He is normally further to the right when taking off and didn’t realise he was so close to that pole.”

The end of the helicopter’s blades had been shredded by the collision with the 8ft to 10ft pole.

Mr Payne said that the engine caught fire and that the blades had hit the ground.

Mr Payne, who is hoping to track down veterans of the Second World War in order to present a medal he has had cast, said: “We had plenty of fire extinguishers in the cafe. My team came out with the extinguisher and the pilot put out the fire.”

Long Sutton and Spalding firefighters along with the police attended the incident.

If you are Second World War veteran please contact Mr Payne at the cafe on 01406 422766.