Scene of Air crash in North Yorkshire

Two men who died when a light aeroplane crashed in a North Yorkshire field have been identified by police as their “utterly heartbroken” families paid tribute.

The pilot of the two-seater light aeroplane was Matthew Bird, 21, and the passenger was Oliver Dawes, 24, North Yorkshire Police said.

The two men died when their plane crashed at a rural location in Thorganby, near Selby, at around 9.50am on Sunday.

The family of Mr Dawes, from Burley in Wharfedale, said: “Yesterday, we lost a dearly loved son, cousin, nephew and friend.

“Oliver will continue to live on in our hearts and memories as the kind, generous, hardworking and fun man he had become.

“We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives, we are heartbroken.”

The family of Mr Bird, from Spofforth, said: “Yesterday we lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

“Matthew meant so much to so many.

“We are utterly heartbroken but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories he’s left us with.”

Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.