Yahoo News Memorial stone planned for RAF hero pilot who died in County Durham jet crash
A group has set up a fundraiser to create a memorial stone for an RAF pilot who died when his fighter jet crashed in County Durham just over 25 years ago.
On a cold December winter night in 1998, Group Captain David Ayton Haward OBE steered his stricken plane away from homes, averting a potential disaster in Stainton Moor.
Poised at the cockpit of a £17m RAF Hawker Harrier II GR7, Group Captain Haward, 45, was piloting a practice bombing run soaring at 600mph high in the skies when tragedy struck.
Group Captain David Ayton Haward. (Image: TEESDALE AVIATION)
During the routine run, the dad of two-faced an unrecoverable situation after flying into a telephone wire and was left with just 2.6 seconds to avert further disaster.
In his last moments, he was able to steer the falling aircraft away from homes in Stainton Moor and crashed in a field on Shepherds Lodge farm.
From that day on, Group Captain Haward has been hailed and remembered as a hero by the community of Stainton and Streatlam Moor - and last year his story was re-told to honour the 25th year since that tragic day.
Now, the organisers of Teesdale Aviation Day wish to honour Captain Haward's sacrifice following an "outpouring of love and affection" with a locally sourced memorial stone.
A picture from the scene in Stainton, 1998. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
Christopher Galley, one of the organisers, said: "We had such an incredible reaction following the 25th anniversary - it's etched in people's memories and is still quite raw.
"It got us thinking - there was nothing there at the site to commemorate the crash and David's loss. There was a tree planted in 1999 but it died.
"It is amazing to do something like this. To generate this funding and put a stone in place will not only help the family but also the community to come together and reflect on what happened."
Plans state that the stone, which is hoped to include a piece of Hawker Harrier II will be put on the field of the crash site off Moor Lane, west of Staindrop.
Planned site for the memorial. (Image: TEESDALE AVIATION)
However, the stone and associated costs is estimated to cost £5,000 - which has led Christopher and others to begin a fundraiser.
The crowdfunder reads: "A tree was planted in 1999 to commemorate this tragic day but sadly this perished.
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"After a quarter of a century, it is now time to properly commemorate this RAF hero and cement in place a lasting reminder of his courage, dedication and service to this country.
"We are designing and will purchase a suitable Military Memorial Stone with a significant piece of a Hawker Harrier to be placed in a beautiful position close to the crash site.
"This will have good access for those who wish to view and pay their respects in the future."
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
