A microlight pilot and his passenger had a lucky escape after they were forced to make an emergency landing.

Drama - police with the microlight forced to make an emergency landing Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

The pair were flying towards Canvey Way when their aircraft suffered a fuel pressure problem at about 6pm yesterday.

They made a steep descent and managed to land safely in a field. Farmer Edward Horton, 59, of Railway View Farm, Benfleet, noticed the microlight diving towards the ground only 100 yards away from him.

He saw it plummeting and thought it was going to crash.

He raised the alarm while his wife Susan and his mother's carer Linda O'Brian, went to the crash scene with blankets to aid the occupants, who were unhurt.

Published Wednesday July 28, 2004

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