Couple’s tragedy in new chopper

Jan 29 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PAUL and Linda Spencer died when their machine crashed moments after taking off from a luxury Yorkshire hotel where they had a holiday home.

Mr Spencer, a qualified pilot, had bought the helicopter at Christmas.

The couple, who lived in a converted barn on Birkhouse Lane, are thought to have died instantly after the machine came down in gusty conditions in the grounds of Rudding Park Hotel, near Harrogate.

The Government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch and RAF and Navy experts are trying to pinpoint the cause of the crash.

For neighbour Gary Newburn the tragedy brought back bitter memories; he lost his brother Tim in a helicopter crash in August.

He said: “It is ironic; just a field between our houses and three people are killed in helicopter crashes.’’

Mr Newburn and his wife Lisa had been out with Mr and Mrs Spencer at a party a week before they died.

He said: “They were a really nice couple and very successful.They were perfect neighbours.’’

Another neighbour said: “It is a huge shock to everybody.’’

Mr Spencer, 43, and his 59-year-old wife ran artificial flower and decorations wholesalers Country Baskets, which has branches in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. The hugely successful business grew from a market stall in Halifax.

The couple, who had a lodge in the hotel estate and visited around once a month, had a family meal there before the Gazelle helicopter crashed at about 4.30pm on Saturday.

It was around 800 yards from the complex's helipad.

Country Baskets employs hundreds of people across the UK.

Mrs Spencer had two daughters, one of whom was in France when she received the news and returned home.