Fly-past and procession in tribute to Welshpool plane crash victim

The funeral procession for a pilot who died after a plane crash on the Shropshire-Wales border will depart from the airport which he owned in Welshpool.

Experienced pilot Bob Jones, 60, who set up and ran Mid Wales Airport, died in the crash on January 18.

The father-of-two from Trehelig, in Welshpool, was one of two people on board the seven-seater Piper Navajo light aircraft which came down on the Long Mountain near Leighton, close to Welshpool.

Mr Jones' funeral will take place tomorrow, beginning with a procession on the runway at Mid Wales Airport.

Subject to weather conditions, the service is expected to include a flypast and a 'bow of honour' by the Wales Air Ambulance, which has a helicopter at the airport.

At 1.30pm there will then be a public thanksgiving service to celebrate his life at St Mary's Church in Welshpool.

Catharine Evan-Williams, communications officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, said the procession down the runway would be for immediate family only and followed by a private service, before the public thanksgiving.

Hundreds are expected to attend the services.

The funeral of the second victim, Steve Carr, a former RAF pilot turned music producer, was expected to take place today at Pentrebychan Crematorium in Wrexham.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch say it could take months for the investigation into the crash to be completed.