Tributes paid to glider, 75, who died in crash in Pyrenees
Friends have paid tribute to a British man who died in a gliding accident in Spain yesterday.
Mike Evans, 75, who went by ‘Little Mike’, suffered injuries upon landing in Jaca, northern Spain, on Saturday.
Mr Evans had been travelling alone in a single-seat glider when he came off the runway at the Santa Cilia aerodrome, near the foothills of the Pyrenees mountain range, and hit a cluster of nearby trees at around 4pm local time.
Emergency responders were initially informed he was conscious and complaining of neck pain. He suffered cardiac arrest about 40 minutes later and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local Nimbus Aeroclub said in a Facebook tribute: ‘So long Mike. A pleasure having known you.’
The statement was accompanied with the words ‘feeling terrible’ alongside a crying emoji.
Another friend said: ‘Dear Mike, twenty-five years ago you decided the Santa Cilia Aerodrome was the best place to exercise your passion for gliding and fly over the Pyrenees.
‘From then on you dreamed about the date you’d planned for your arrival every year, until that fateful September 9 2023.
‘Over the years you have gained the respect and the affection of everyone, not just of locals in the village but of the places you have frequented regularly.
‘There are many of us friends who feel the deep pain your departure has caused us.’
They went on: ‘This September 9 has been a fateful day and a terrible accident has resulted in your last breath staying here with us, and this time for ever.
‘Happy flying dear friend. We will never forget you, small great man. So long.’
Mr Evans was also a member of the Lasham Gliding Society at Lasham Airfield in Alton, Hampshire, where he was well-known for his abilities as a chef and frequent participation in charity events organised by the club.
Lasham Gliding Society is expected to make a comment on Mr Evan’s tragic death either later today or tomorrow.
Authorities in Jaca have confirmed they are investigating the accident. Photos show police tape has been put up around the fixed-wing aircraft Mr Evans was travelling in.
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