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Pilot Dies In Plane Crash At Chris Evans' Festival

The pilot of a plane that crashed at a car festival in Cheshire has died.

Kevin Whyman, who was married with a young daughter, was a founding member of the Gnat Display Team - and had 10 years' experience in flying a Folland Gnat.

The Heritage Aircraft Trust, who confirmed the pilot's identity, said: "Kevin was a Royal Air Force-trained fast jet pilot whose enthusiasm for flying the Folland Gnat was infectious. He will be greatly missed by his family, the team and many friends."

Chris Evans, who helped organise the event in aid of Children In Need, was visibly upset as he gave a news conference.

Speaking from Oulton Park, the scene of the crash, the broadcaster said: "Just after 2pm, there was a tragic accident - the result of which was one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life.

"Our condolences go out to his family, who have been informed.

"The police have advised us that the best thing, and the safest thing to do, is to carry on with the event - bearing in mind there are 10,000 children here. That's what we're going to do."

Mr Whyman's jet was taking part in an aerobatics display with another aircraft when the incident happened at Carfest North at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

A fire service statement said: "On arrival, firefighters found scattered wreckage and smouldering fires and initially used foam jets to tackle them."

Describing the moments leading up to the crash, eyewitness Neil McHugh told Sky News: "[The pilots] were doing some spirals - one seemed to lose control and crashed just beyond the north of the circuit.

"Big, black plumes of smoke have gone up behind the trees and all the emergency vehicles from the circuit have raced up towards it.

"It was flying very low at the time when it seemed to lose control.

"It didn't look like he properly had time to eject and because of the angle of the plane turning in the actual loop, the cockpit head was more pointing towards the ground than upwards."

Another eyewitness, who gave her name as Jasmine, said the plane suddenly nosedived and there were screams from spectators as they realised what was happening.

A spectator named Mark told Sky News the plane "just seemed to drop out of the sky".

Onlooker Jonathan Randall tweeted: "Think I've just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned. Everyone on their phones."

Emma McEvoy added: "OMG plane crashed right in front of our eyes at Carfest hope the pilot ejected!! Whole crowd went silent!"

Seven fire engines were sent to the scene, while Cheshire Police are investigating.

In a statement, the event's organisers said it does not believe that any others have been harmed in the incident.

They added: "An aircraft flying with the Gnat Display Team came down approximately one mile north of the site.

"We have helpfully received images and footage captured by those close to the site, which will aid with the police investigation. Should anyone else have similar photos or video footage, they are asked to keep hold of it in case the authorities request further information."

The event's website describes it as a "dream of cars, music, food and masses of family fun - a dream conjured up by Chris Evans and brought to life in Cheshire and Hampshire".

The event began on Friday and is due to finish on Sunday.