INVESTIGATORS will today try to work out why a couple lost their lives after their light aircraft crashed near a runway.

Hotelier Gary Vickers, 58, and his partner Kaye Clarke, 42, died after their twin-engine light aircraft came down at Hawarden Airport.

The couple were on their way back to Chester from Paris.

Post-mortem examinations on the pair, who shared homes in Andorra in the
Pyrenees and Curzon Park, Chester, will be opened today.

Pilot Mr Vickers was co-owner of the Mill Hotel in Chester city centre died in the plane crash. Ms Clarke was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where she died.

North Wales Police were notified of the crash at just before 1.10pm on Friday.

Officers informed the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB and investigations will
continue by both authorities today.

Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out today at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.

Robert Gage, head of communications for Airbus UK said an on-site fire team at Airbus Broughton assisted with releasing the couple from the plane.

The Welsh Ambulance Service said crew in a rapid response vehicle and an emergency ambulance attended the scene, together with two BASICS doctors.

Last night Gary Vickers’ father, Gordon, said: “On the pictures I have seen of the accident, in my opinion It has been caused through one engine having a malfunction on landing – not pilot error.

“Sadly there is always a risk. It is very sad that two lives have ended this way. We would like to thank the emergency services at Hawarden for their prompt attendance.”

Local businessman Ian Bellis, who used to hold a pilot’s licence and drove past the scene shortly after the crash, said: “It looked like a landing accident rather than an overshoot.

“The incident seemed to be on the first third of the runway which is where they normally land.

“We could see some recovery vehicles on the runway but not the actual aircraft so they could have cleared it away already.”