Member of Gnat display team dies after plane comes down a mile north of site in Cheshire

A pilot has been killed when an aircraft taking part in an aerial show plummeted to the ground in front of horrified spectators. The accident happened shortly after 2pm at the CarFest event in Oulton Park, Cheshire, created by TV and radio presenter Chris Evans to support BBC Children in Need. The pilot was named as Kevin Whyman.

Evans told reporters: “There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life. Our condolences go out to his family, who have been informed.”



Chris Evans (@achrisevans) I am very sad to announce there has been a serious air incident at CarFest North off site. The emergency services are in attendance.

The plane was understood to be part of the Gnat display team, which is owned by Heritage Aircraft Limited and based at North Weald airfield.

CarFest is described as “a dream of cars, music, food and masses of family fun – a dream conjured up by Chris Evans and brought to life”. Acts such as Joss Stone, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Texas are performing.

The event in Cheshire began on Friday and is due to continue until Sunday, with a second event in Hampshire scheduled for the August bank holiday weekend. Attendees have posted pictures on social media of plumes of black smoke rising from trees surrounding the park.

Mark Dowling (@ChronMark) This was the scene seconds after the plane crashed during a display at CarFest. pic.twitter.com/XU2uvG63hU

Roy Smith (@roylsmith) Shocking plane has just crashed at Carfest hope he got out pic.twitter.com/wGPGSdmJaA

View Creative Agency (@viewcreative) The jet flew over our heads low panned to the left and lost control #CarFestNorth and hit the ground huge explosion pic.twitter.com/CrvHv6ItPe

One spectator told the BBC: “There were two planes flying around. One of them just seemed to do a dive where the car park is. Then there was a bang. Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening.”

CarFest said in a statement: “An aircraft flying with the Gnat display team came down approximately one mile north of the site. The pilot has been confirmed as a fatality. We do not believe that any other person has been harmed in the incident. We are working very closely with the police, emergency services and all relevant authorities. 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 photo or video footage, they are asked to keep hold of it in case the authorities request further information. Our thoughts are with the family of the pilot and all those affected at this time.”



“Our condolences go out to his family who have been informed,” Evans said. “The police have also advised us that the best thing and the safest thing to do is to carry on with the event bearing in mind that there are 10,000 children here - and that is what we are going to do.”

He said it would be “completely inappropriate” to speculate on how the accident happened, and that he would give a tribute to the pilot at a later point.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: “AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site.”