Funerals held for victims of light aircraft crash

Funerals were held today for a light aircraft pilot and two passengers whose plane crashed into a Northern Ireland field.

Funerals were held today for a light aircraft pilot and two passengers whose plane crashed into a Northern Ireland field.

Pilot and former policeman Hugh McKnight, a 54-year-old retired police officer, and Stephen Annett and Andrew Burden, both 24, were all from the Annalong area of Co Down.

The accident happened as they returned from the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races last Friday.

Stanley Annett paid tribute to his son.

"Stephen was the best son any dad could hope to have. Like me, he was a man of few words but one look from him was worth a thousand words, such was the bond we had," he said.

"I just had to ask him for help and he would have come running. I wish I could see him right now and tell him I love him, but that will now have to wait 'til we see him again in heaven."

An investigation is continuing into why the light aircraft crashed in a field and burst into flames near a private airstrip in Kilkeel.

PA