TWO friends have cheated death after their plane crashed into woodland.
The men, Jim Martin and Jon Ker, were seriously injured when the small microlight crashed into trees at Bywell Farm, north of Morpeth.
But the aircraft's landing was cushioned by trees which are located between a ploughed field and Burgham Golf Co
urse yesterday.
And it comes as another lucky escape for the two flyers, both from the Great North Air Ambulance, as their miracle survival means that they have cheated death for the second time.
Just last year, they survived a climbing accident that killed their friend, Dr Rupert Bennett. They were climbing Ben Nevis at the time.
Rupert plunged 100ft to his death but Jim and Jon survived and were rescued later.
In yesterday's incident, the plane fell into a ravine in the wooded area.
Several golf club members witnessed the incident, and reported that they heard the engine stall and saw something fall from the aircraft. They contacted the emergency services, who were on the scene within minutes.
The men were cut free from the wreckage before being taken to Newcastle General Hospital, one by police helicopter, the other by air ambulance.
Police reported that both men were in a serious condition and were both suffering concussion and severe leg injuries and one had internal bleeding.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch were on the scene and the inquiry into the incident could take a few days.
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