Police name man who died in reservoir plane crash

A man killed when his light aircraft crashed into a reservoir has been named by police.

Peter Beeson, 66, from Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, was the only person onboard the Beagle B121 Pup aeroplane, Essex Police said.

It crashed into the water at Hanningfield Reservoir, near Chelmsford, at about 14:00 GMT on 28 December.

Police said an investigation into the crash continued, but no suspicious circumstances had yet been identified.

The private aircraft had departed North Weald Airfield shortly before 12:00 GMT.

Beeson's body was found by specialist divers two days later and a post-mortem examination was carried out on Wednesday.

Air accident investigators have been examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Det Insp Lydia George, who is leading the force's investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain with [Beeson's] family and friends, and I offer my condolences."

A file would be prepared for the coroner in due course, Essex Police added.

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