A FLYING club from the Channel Islands has placed flowers at the site where an aeroplane from Guernsey crashed killing one man and leaving two others fighting for their lives.

The single-engine aeroplane plummeted to the ground and burst into flames moments after taking off from Bournemouth International Airport on Saturday (August 28).

Pilot Rob Le Page and passenger Dave Bougourd were airlifted to the specialist burns unit at Salisbury District Hospital, but a third man was killed.

Flyer Ralph Burridge, 63, from the Alderney Flying Club flew into Bournemouth on Monday to pick up his wife and took the opportunity to place a bouquet at the crash site in tribute to the men who are honorary members of the club.

Mr Burridge, who met the three men in the 1970s, explained that they belong to the Guernsey Aero Club, but each year they help marshal Alderney's fly in and air racing competition.

"We were just all shocked and devastated when we heard the news," he said.

"The Aviation world is very small and all three were well known enthusiasts.

"When you know that these people have slept in your spare bedroom for several days each year for nearly 20 years to help out at flying events it just brings it all home."

Mr Burridge explained that the three men were members of a small group of aviation enthusiasts at the Guernsey Aero Club and would often fly to airports in France and across the UK to look at different types of planes.

It is understood the men were en-route to a flying event at Henstridge airfield in Somerset when the accident occurred shortly before midday.

First published: Sept 3