A MAN has died following what appears to be a mid air collision between two gliders over the Yorkshire Dales.

According to a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, their crews received a call to an incident involving the two gliders at Sutton Bank near Thirsk at around 4.15pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 2 October).

Appliances from Thirsk, Helmsley, Ripon and Northallerton, along with two Support Officers, were mobilised to the scene which is a popular spot for glider enthusiasts and home to the Yorkshire Gliding Club, from where both gliders took off.

On arrival crews found that one of the gilder pilots had escaped via parachute with minor injuries. Unfortunately the pilot of the second glider was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crews carried out an initial search of the scene and no further casualties are believed to be involved in this Incident. Two RAF Search and Rescue Helicopters assisted with the search. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance also attended the scene.

Further investigations will be carried out by North Yorkshire Police and the Air Accident Investigation Board.

In a statement released overnight the YGC said: "No further details can be released until the pilot's relatives have been contacted.

"The accident has been reported to the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the British Gliding Association, who have begun an investigation into the accident.

"The club would like to thank the services for their swift actions."

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