Tributes to friends killed in air crash (From Gazette Series)

Tributes to friends killed in air crash

TRIBUTES have been paid this week to the two men who lost their lives in a mircrolight crash near Wotton.

Chief Insp Ian Jones, 46, who worked at Gloucestershire Constabulary's Operations Department at Bamfurlong, near Cheltenham, and Chris Townsend, a 48-year-old GP from Malmesbury, were tragically killed when the light aircraft came down near the Cotswold Edge Golf Club, Wotton-under-Edge, in bad weather on Wednesday, June 15.

The men had been friends since school and Chief Insp Jones, who was the passenger, was best man at Mr Townsend's wedding.

In a statement Chief Insp Jones' family said: "Ian was a devoted and much-loved husband, father and brother who could always be relied upon to help anyone in need.

"He was a well respected senior police officer who was known not only locally but nationally. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and work colleagues."

Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Dr Timothy Brain said: "Ian was an extremely well respected, popular and highly professional officer who will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues in the Gloucestershire Constabulary.

"He provided many years of impeccable service to the force and the people of Gloucestershire.

"Our deepest sympathies go to his loved ones and those of Christopher Townsend for their loss, and both families, as well as our own staff and officers affected by this tragedy, are being given our full support."

Mr Townsend's family describes him as a kind and happy man who loved flying.

His wife Mandie, who is expecting their first child at the end of December, said: "He was a fantastic husband and a great father and he was so excited about becoming a dad again. He was well liked and respected in the local community.

"He loved flying. He would be out at least every week in his plane, it's what he enjoyed most."

Mr Townsend leaves behind a 22-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, an older brother 52-year-old Doctor Mark Townsend and both his parents.