Crashed plane was carrying donor liver

A spokesman for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) said the accident happened in foggy conditions at about 3.30pm yesterday.

The pilot of the Cessna, a 58-year-old man, was trapped in the wreckage with multiple injuries, while the other casualty was less seriously hurt.

One of the WNAA's pilots entered the burning jet to cut its fuel supply to allow rescuers to access the plane.

Despite the crash, the organ was able to be quickly transported on to a local hospital where surgery had been scheduled for the same night.

A spokeswoman from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham said: "The liver was safely transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

"It was clinically and medically assessed and it will be used for a liver transplant shortly."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed one man was seriously injured.

"He was treated at the scene for multiple injuries and airlifted to University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment," she added.

"A second man was treated at the scene for flash burns to his body and a back injury. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was immobilised using a spinal board and neck collar before being conveyed to Heartlands Hospital."

The incident caused widespread disruption to travellers, halting all flights and prompting gridlock on roads surrounding the airport, which was closed to passengers.