Bassey brush with death in helicopter emergency

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The singer was on her way back from Glastonbury festival to London when the aircraft began to make noises, swooped low over homes and touched tree tops on its way down.

The helicopter landed at eight last night in Collingwood College in Camberley, Surrey, amid howling winds, rain and fog minutes after coming within inches of pylons and wires.

Locals who had been watching in fear told how the pilot was so distressed he emerged from the aircraft having no idea where he was. He said: "I was losing power... the mist was so thick I couldn't see where I was going. I've got a special passenger. We had an almighty let off. Thank God."

Dame Shirley, 70, then emerged from the helicopter in wellingtons. One onlooker said she told the crowd: "We are so sorry to have bothered you. May I please use someone's toilet? And a cup of tea would go down a treat."

Click here to read a review of this year's Glastonbury Festival

Locals then looked after her and her five-strong crew until a car arrived to take her to Pennyhill Park hotel in Bagshot, Surrey.

The helicopter was heading for London Heliport in Battersea when it developed a fault. Eyewitness Rosella Tew, 68, said: "The first thing we knew something was wrong was when we heard a helicopter in trouble.

"It appeared to be getting nearer and nearer. My husband Thomas and I watched in horror as the helicopter touched the tops of trees in our garden. It was clear the pilot was struggling to control the machine.

"Thankfully it made a very bumpy landing in the grounds of the college. The pilot looked ashen.

"He saw us watching through the college gates and came over to ask, 'Where am I?' He was a hero really for making a safe landing in atrocious conditions.

"You could tell Dame Shirley had been through a terrible ordeal but she maintained her dignity.

"She smiled at us bravely and asked for a toilet and a cup of tea, in that order." Mrs Tew added: "She happily posed for photographs and told me Glastonbury had been a ball and made her feel young."