by Richard Ault

A PILOT was in hospital last night with life-threatening injuries after his microlight crash-landed on a golf course.

The man was airlifted to hospital after firefighters cut him free from the wreckage of his aircraft yesterday.

Police said the man, believed to be local and in his 50s, was in a 'critical but stable' condition last night.

Eyewitness John Wallwork was walking his dog near to the third hole at Park Hall Golf Course, Weston Coyney, at 1.15pm.

The 31-year-old, of Lauder Place, Bentilee, said: "I saw him when he was coming down, then we heard the bang, when he hit the ground.

"I thought he was dead. I ran over to where he had crashed. His leg was in a right state, it looked really bad.

"He was conscious, but he didn't really say anything. There was one other person already there and he said the pilot's name was John.

"John was trapped under the microlight and he was thrashing about, trying to get up. But we stopped him from moving, because he could have done more damage to himself."

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Paramedics ran to the scene after their ambulance couldn't get on to the Hulme Road course, Mr Wallwork said.

Firefighters from Longton Fire Station cut the pilot free before he was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The man was trapped underneath the aircraft. Once freed, he was treated for serious multiple injuries before being airlifted to hospital for further assessment and treatment."

No one else was injured in the incident. Officers from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spent about an hour at the scene last night and were due to return this morning.

Police protected the crash site using a tent and an officer was stationed at the scene overnight.

Chief Inspector Peter Hall, from Stoke-on-Trent police division, said: "We believe the pilot is a local man in his 50s and we don't think he has taken off from far away."

Anyone who saw the crash is asked to contact police on 0300 123 4455.

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Story filed in:  Staffordshire Police | Bentilee