Tributes paid to Burley in Wharfedale man who died in plane crash

Tuesday, 30 July 2024 09:50

Matthew Bird (left) and Oliver Dawes (right) died following the crash on Sunday

Police have confirmed one of young men who died in a light aircraft crash near Selby at the weekend was from Burley in Wharfedale.

A two-seater light aircraft with two occupants crashed at a rural location near Selby on Sunday morning, 28 July.

Oliver Dawes, 24, of Burley in Wharfedale, was the passenger on the plane and his family have said in statement:

“Yesterday, we lost a dearly loved son, cousin, nephew and friend. Oliver will continue to live on in our hearts and memories as the kind, generous, hardworking and fun man he had become. We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives, we are heartbroken.”

The second man who died been named as Matthew Bird, who was the pilot of the light aircraft, was 21 and from Spofforth.

Matthew’s family paid tribute to him:

“Yesterday we lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

“Matthew meant so much to so many. We are utterly heartbroken but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories he’s left us with.”

North Yorkshire Police say investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are on going.

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