A pilot has praised the Essex emergency services for their "phenomenal" help after his friend was injured when his plane crash-landed.<BR Jerry Knight, manager of the Kent-based Tiger Club, was one of four pilots due to take part in a display to mark 100 years of West Mersea Yacht Club.

But disaster struck when the pilots tried to land in a field in East Mersea prior to starting the display on Saturday afternoon.

Roger Bishop, a club member in his early 30s, "landed heavily" in the field at the bottom of Meeting Lane, East Mersea.

Mr Knight said Mr Bishop was the last to touch down and it is not yet known what made his French-designed plane crash-land.

Mr Knight and two other pilots, all who fly regularly with the Tiger Club which is based in Headcorn near Ashford, rushed to Mr Bishop's aid.

He said: "We lifted him out of the plane and laid him on the ground. He was conscious and said he felt like he had a bad back."

Mr Knight said he rang for the emergency services and within 15 minutes a motorbike paramedic, two road ambulances, the Essex Air Ambulance, two police cars and the Essex police helicopter had all arrived.

He said: "They were absolutely incredible. We owe a big thank-you to the Essex emergency services."

Mr Bishop was airlifted to Colchester General Hospital with back injuries where his condition was yesterday described as satisfactory.

His fellow pilots continued with the display once they were sure Mr Bishop, a married man with children, did not have life-threatening injuries.

Mr Knight said: "I think it would be fair to say we were quite shaken up by it" but he added: "We have a tradition at the club that the show must go on."

The Air Investigation Board will be carrying out an investigation into the cause of the accident.

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