Air accident officials have now completed their investigation of a microlight crash near Penrith which left its pilot with serious injuries.


There has still been no statement about the condition of the pilot.


Thought to be elderly, the man was airlifted to hospital in the North East with what were described as "potentially serious injuries".


A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said today: "We were called to the Little Strickland area on Saturday morning after reports of a microlight crash.


"Our aircraft flew over from Newcastle at 11.30am as our Langwathby based crew were busy on another call-out."


The helicopter arrived at the scene of the crash after 20 minutes.


"The patient was treated for potentially serious injuries at the scene before being flown from the scene for ongoing care."

 

The accident happened at Bedlands Gate, Newby, south east of Penrith, just before 11am.

 

In a statement today, a spokeswoman for the Air Accident Investigation Branch - the official body that oversees such accidents - said: "The onsite investigation is complete and the wreckage is now being transported to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch headquarters in Farnborough.

 

“A report will be published in due course once the investigation is complete.” 

 

A Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service statement said: "At 10:58, four fire engines from Patterdale, Penrith, Appleby and Shap were mobilised to Bedlands Gate, Newby, where a microlight aircraft had crashed landed onto a field. 

 

"Fire crews administered first aid before handing the casualty over to the care of the Ambulance Service. 

"The casualty was conveyed to hospital by air ambulance, and fire crews remained at the incident standing by keeping the area and scene safe, due to leaking aviation fuel. 


"Crews used one main branch, one foam jet and two fire extinguishers. Crews were in attendance for approximately two and a half hours."