Helicopter crash couple named

Paul Spencer, 43, was killed instantly alongside his wife Linda, 59, when their black Gazelle helicopter crashed in woodland in the grounds of Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate.

The couple had recently returned from a holiday in the Caribbean. They lived in Brighouse, West Yorks, where they ran Country Baskets, a business which sells dried flowers.

The couple were regular visitors to the hotel and had dinner at the complex on Saturday.

The family of the two victims paid tribute to them in a statement released by North Yorkshire Police which said: "Paul and Linda Spencer were a wonderful couple who were devoted to each other and their family. They were hugely generous to all around them, often helping people who were less fortunate than themselves.

"From modest beginnings they built a successful business which operated throughout the UK employing hundreds of people. Their family and friends have been left devastated by the tragedy, but can take comfort that at the time of the accident they were in one of their favourite places together and doing something they both loved."

The aircraft crashed just before 4.30pm on Saturday around a mile from the hotel.

Inspector Tad Nowakowski said: "As you can see we have a team of officers from the Air Accident Investigation Branch, the RAF, Navy and police. They have been examining the wreck and surrounding area from daylight this morning. The two bodies have been removed and have left the scene. The family has visited the scene and laid flowers. They are understandably devastated at this tragic accident."

Post mortem examinations are due to take place in Harrogate.

Weather forecasters said high winds which had been buffeting the area earlier had subsided by the time of the crash but conditions were still gusty.