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13
Aug 2024
Spofforth man, 21, died of facial injuries in plane crash, inquest hears
A young Spofforth man died from facial injuries following a plane crash last month, an inquest heard today.
The inquest into the death of Matthew Samuel Bird opened at Northallerton Coroner’s Court.
Assistant coroner Jonathan Leach told the court Mr Bird, who was 21 at the time of his death, was a barista and a student pilot.
He, along with 24-year-old Oliver Dawes, died after a two-seater light aircraft crashed in a field in Thorganby, near Selby, on July 28.
North Yorkshire Police said at the time Mr Bird was the pilot of the plane and both men were certified dead at the scene.
His provisional cause of death was attributed to facial injuries, Mr Leach told the court.
The inquest was adjourned to a full hearing at a later date.
Oliver Dawes
Mr Bird’s family released a tribute to him shortly after his death. It said:
Yesterday we lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
Matthew meant so much to so many. We are utterly heartbroken, but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories, he’s left us with.
The family of Mr Dawes, who was from Burley in Wharfedale, also released a statement, which said he would “continue to live in our hearts”.
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