A WOMAN from Newton-le-Willows has spoken of the terrifying moment a microlight plane crashed into a field in 40 metres in front of her.

Louise Jackson was out walking with her husband Ian, mum Lynn, and two sons when she witnessed the crash on Thursday.

The family were the first on the scene, running to the rescue of the injured pilot.

Louise, who works as a telephone operator for BT, said: "We thought he must be dead.

"When he hit the power line we were just screaming and, when he started coming down, instinct just set in and my husband and mum bolted straight over.

"My husband jumped a fence to reach him.

"He was unconscious for about three minutes and then he came round but he was very disorientated.”

The 36-year-old pilot had to be airlifted to hospital after the one-seater plane plunged into the field close to Hall Lane Farm, at the border of Newton and Burtonwood.

His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Other witnesses have described the moment they saw the microlight flying low over Newton where he appeared to be waving.

But moments later he clipped the power line and came crashing down into the field.

Among those at the scene was Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron.

He said: "I came outside to see what was going on after hearing an aircraft spluttering and stalling. I saw a microlight flying very low over the houses at Bradlegh Road and over Sankey Canal.

"Many residents were out watching. At first, I wondered whether it was intentional, but then it seemed to be more erratic.

"This concerned me and so I contacted the police.

"The aircraft then flew towards Tyrer Road and suddenly went silent. I feared that there had been a crash.

"I rushed down to where the aircraft had crashed and there was damage to the electric pylon cable.

"The air ambulance and emergency services were already in the area before the crash, making me think that the pilot may have contacted them and tried to run the aircraft out of fuel before ditching it.

"The gentleman was in distress but had gained consciousness after I arrived."

A Cheshire Fire Service spokesman said: "A man was taken to hospital after a microlight collided with over head power lines and crashed into a field.

"The victim suffered head and leg injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

"A cordon was set up and a fuel leak from the aircraft was contained. The power line was isolated by the electricity company."

The incident has been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority.