Miracle As Jet Crashes Into Homes - And No-One Killed

"Damage To Homes" added by LincolnshireEcho, © Northcliffe Newspapers Group

Miracle As Jet Crashes Into Homes - And No-One Killed

From thisislincolnshire.co.uk with permission

Villagers described how they were lucky to escape alive this week in 1987 when two Red Arrows jets were involved in a mid-air collision and one plunged into houses.

The aircraft collided over Welton, near Lincoln, during a training exercise by the RAF's world famous aerobatics team, based at RAF Scampton.

One aircraft slammed into a house in Monce Close and the other landed in a field, just yards away from a row of houses.

But amazingly nobody was killed in the incident.

Both pilots ejected before their planes hit the ground and were taken to Lincoln County Hospital.

Sqdn Ldr Tim Miller suffered injuries to his back while Flt Lt Spike Newbery had a broken leg.

The occupants of the house on Monce Close were all out when the jets crashed at about 12.45pm on November 16.

Gillian Schooley had gone out into Lincoln while her young daughter was at play school. But neighbours described their own miracle escapes.

James Bray was in the bath when the plane crashed into his neighbour's house.

He told the Echo: "It was terrifying, absolutely terrifying. When it happened I just didn't know what was going on. I thought the world had ended."

Another Monce Close resident, Charles Gillon, said he dived for cover after seeing the two planes collide in mid-air and burst into flames from his bedroom window.

"One started tumbling over backwards and I saw both pilots eject," he said. "The other was coming straight for the house. I thought it was going to hit so I laid on the floor. I heard two bangs. Then I got up and ran outside."

In the immediate aftermath of the crash there were angry calls for the Red Arrows to be barred from practising over Lincolnshire villages. The team had only been stationed at RAF Scampton for three years.

Councillor Malcolm Parish, chairman of Welton Parish Council, said at the time: "I know the Red Arrows do a good job and the people of the village have enjoyed them flying past before now. I think it is only fair that another practice ground is found for them."

Some villagers asked why the team could not practise over the sea - but those suggestions were quickly dismissed. Lincolnshire MPs, including current Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh, insisted all families affected by the crash should be fully compensated.

Article sourced with permission from thisislincolnshire.co.uk