Farmer honours victims of 1970 helicopter crash

An RAF helicopter exploded in mid-air above Peter Fall's farm on 20 November 1970

A farmer who witnessed a helicopter crash which killed four people in the Yorkshire Dales 55 years ago has said he is "proud" to honour the victims by laying tributes at the site.

RAF Rescue Helicopter Westland Whirlwind XL112 took off from RAF Leconfield, near Beverley in East Yorkshire, before it disintegrated in mid-air and fell into fields at Peter Fall's farm at Patrick Brompton, near Bedale, on 20 November 1970.

Mr Fall, 78, who is the last surviving witness to the incident, said what he saw has "haunted my life all these years".

"I've laid a tribute every year since the 50th anniversary. Their memory must be kept alive," he said.

Remembering the events he witnessed as a 23-year-old he said: "It came down in our Low Meadow.

"It was a dark, a foggy, grimy, afternoon. My brother John was working on a roof when he heard a loud metallic crack, followed by a terrific engine whine.

"Then a few seconds later we saw it, falling straight down and disintegrating."

A photograph of the helicopter taken at RAF Leuchars in August 1962

Mr Fall's brother, who gave evidence at an inquest into the incident, called the emergency services, then the pair rushed to the scene to look for survivors.

But Mr Fall said the crash site was "all disintegration and bright yellow carnage".

"All the crew were dead, with the pilot and co-pilot still strapped into their seats and the other two victims thrown out.

"Wreckage was scattered far and wide, with two of the rotors found about a mile away, the third had still been attached to the gear-box which had sheared off and buried itself deep in the ground."

Mr Fall said he was "the only one left of the six of us who witnessed the crash".

He said: "I'm extremely proud to do this act of remembrance and am very pleased to think it means something to the crew, family members and acquaintances.

"I get great comfort from the fact I've had messages of thanks from the victims' relatives."

Mr Fall said he places a tribute at the "exact time and place" of the crash each year

Mr Fall said military experts told him the aircraft was on a training flight which had set off from RAF Leconfield when it ran into a layer of fog and ice.

He said: "The pilot, Captain John Horton Balserin was killed alongside Master Navigator Brian Sterland, Flight Sergeant Charles Peter Ford, and Pilot Officer Helen Susan McLaren."

He added: "I don't do this for me, but out of respect for them, the crew and their families."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.