THE heroic actions of locals who rushed to the scene when a light aircraft crashed in fields near Marlborough, killing the pilot and his passenger, have been praised by the farm's owner.

The plane was engulfed in fire after it crashed into barley fields at Brimslade Farm in Brimslade, just metres from the farm house. Despite their fast actions, no-one was able to reach pilot Paul Gunnell and his passenger, who was named this week on social media as Gordon Davis.

Farmer Bruce Gauntlett praised people's quick thinking after they raised the alarm and used farm equipment to stop the fireball which followed the crash from engulfing the entire crop.

Mr Gauntlett, who has farmed the land for over 50 years, now plans to turn the disaster area into a wild flower memorial to the two experienced pilots.

Mr Gauntlett, 78, of Brimslade Farm Cottages, said: “The pilot must have had a major technical problem because the plane came down very low over our house and made the loudest noise.

“We are just so grateful they managed to use their flying skills to miss our house.

“I would like to pay tribute to those on the farm at the time who acted so promptly and bravely to call the emergency services and fight the stubble fire.”

After witnessing the crash, Arthur House, the 16-year-old son of Mr Gauntlett's shepherdess Kiki House, raced to the farm to alert Mr Gauntlett. Mum Kiki said later: “We did what we could do at the time.”

Local tree surgeon Richard Turner, of Land Care Ltd, made a fire break by using his tractor to dig up the field around the wreckage.

One man, who was first on the scene but asked not to be named, said: “I was upstairs and heard the engines make a noise and then stop. They must have missed us by a few feet. We jumped in the 4x4 and drove around the wreckage to see if anybody had managed to get out.

“The fire was fierce, the barley was burning really badly and heading towards the trees. There was nothing anyone could do.”

Fire crews, police and ambulance services raced to the accident last Thursday evening, after receiving the 999 call at 6.25pm. A Coastguard helicopter also landed in the fields to check for any survivors.

Around 10 acres of the fields, which are next to the River Avon between Burbage and Marlborough, were destroyed.

Although neither of the dead men had been formally identified this week, Mr Gunnell's wife Kirsty Boazman released a statement through Wiltshire Police saying:

"This cruel and unexpected departure has ripped a hole in my heart and existence.

“Paul was an exceptional man, my best friend, a natural-born leader and aviator who spent his entire career flying, amassing more than 17,000 hours privately and commercially.

“He died while doing what he loved most but it was not time to leave this life. We had much planned. I dearly love and so terribly miss my ‘Captain’."

Fire crews from Marlborough, Pewsey, Swindon and Stratton attended the scene and Swindon fire station manager Gareth Evans said: “A light wind contributed to our ability to extinguish the fire, it might have been different if there had been a stronger wind.”

Scenes of crimes officers were at the farm for several days this week recovering evidence, and a spokesman from the Air Accident Investigation Board said: “An investigation has been launched and is currently ongoing. A full report will be published in due course.”