Poll day horror: Ukip candidate Nigel Farage injured in plane crash

12 April 2012

A leading member of Ukip was today involved in a plane crash while making his final push for votes on polling day.

Nigel Farage — who before take-off was said to have joked "I just hope the plane doesn't blow up and crash" — was trapped in the wreckage after his light aircraft, trailing a banner which read "Vote for your country — vote Ukip", plunged to the ground at Hinton-in-the Hedges airfield in Northamptonshire just after 8am.

After the impact Mr Farage, who is standing against Commons Speaker John Bercow in Buckingham, was said to be terrified, saying: "I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared."

Photographer Neil Hall, who witnessed the crash, said: "His plane was about 10 metres off the ground when the banner became tangled in the rear tail rudder and it nosedived quickly into the ground.

"One minute it was in the air, the next it was a cloud of dust. It simply nosedived without any warning."

The 30-year-old from Reading added: "I was horrified and drove across the airfield expecting to find two dead bodies. It looked like the front of the plane had completely flattened.

"I could see Nigel's leg sticking out, and feared he was dead. Then I heard him moaning, saying get me out, get me out'. With the help of a passing cyclist, we managed to pull Nigel out.

"Blood was pouring from his mouth. I think he had cut his lip with his tooth. He was dazed and confused.

"He was conscious, but utterly scared. When he got out he just kept asking for his phone. I said, Nigel, you're in shock' and he just said: I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared'."

Mr Farage, originally taken to Horton General Hospital in Banbury with face and chest injuries, has been transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford — raising fears his injuries may be more serious than initially suspected. The hospital is described as Oxfordshire's main accident and emergency site.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "Due to the nature of his injuries it was thought better to move him to John Radcliffe for continued treatment."

The father of four is unlikely to be discharged from hospital in time for tonight's count. His wife, Kirsten Mehr, has driven up from her home in Kent to be at his bedside.

Pilot Justin Adams, who had to be cut from the wreckage, managed to use his mobile phone to call emergency services. He is said to be more seriously hurt and was airlifted to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry. The crash scene has been sealed for an investigation.

Mr Farage, a South- East MEP, quit as Ukip leader last September to pursue his bid to oust Mr Bercow. By standing, he and nine others broke the convention that no one stands against the Commons Speaker. He is hoping to snatch the seat as voters desert Mr Bercow in protest at his expenses claims.

Mr Bercow said: "I was concerned to learn of this morning's crash. I wish Nigel Farage and his pilot a full and speedy recovery."

An investigation is under way after it emerged the aircraft was involved in another accident four years ago when it was towing a banner. An accident report was unable to work out why it happened.

An official report said the 1995-registered Polish-made fixed-wing aircraft was landing when there was a sudden "thump" and the plane "staggered" in the air but managed to land safely.

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