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BREAKING NEWS: Gyrocopter pilot who died in a crash on the Black Isle near Avoch named as 67-year-old Paul Nichol


By Ian Duncan

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Paul Nichol.
Paul Nichol.

The pilot who died when his gyrocopter crashed into a field near Avoch on the Black Isle has been named.

Paul Nichol, 67, was killed when his aircraft crashed around 12.55pm yesterday.

It is understood that he had made his first solo flight at the weekend and yesterday's tragic journey from Inverness was his second.

A full scale rescue operation was made by emergency services following the incident.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews – police and firefighters were also in attendance for several hours yesterday afternoon.

An investigation into the crash has been launched by air crash investigators and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Brian Geddes of Police Scotland said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the man who sadly lost his life, and we will have officers providing support at this difficult time.

“Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of people who witnessed the crash, however, we are appealing to anyone we haven’t spoken to, to get in touch.

“I would also urge anyone who might also have images or video footage of the gyrocopter in the air or during the incident to please contact police."

Witnesses should contact officers on the 101non-emergency number – quoting incident number 1385 of November 12.

Anyone with photographs or video of the aircraft in the air, or of the crash itself, should share their footage on the Major Incident Public Portal here.


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