All four people who died in yesterday's horror mid-air crash between a helicopter and plane were men, police confirmed today.

The incident happened in Waddesdon, near Waddesdon Manor, just after midday yesterday (Friday). 

Three out of the four people who were killed have been named in national reports.

Captain Mike Green was reportedly was on a training flight with a young student when his helicopter crashed into a light aircraft.

Bucks New University student Saavan Mundae was believed to be studying air transport and commercial pilot training at the High Wycombe university and is also reported to have died alongside his instructor, named by national media as Jaspal Barha.

Both the aircraft came from Wycombe Air Park. The plane had set off 15 minutes before the crash and went off radar at around noon. 

Police confirmed last night that four people died in the crash but have yet to confirm any details of the victims.

Officers remain at the scene.

Thames Valley Police superintendent Rebecca Mears said: "All four of the men's families have been informed and they are being offered ongoing support by Thames Valley Police.

"Three of the families have today visited the scene supported by specialist family liaison officers from Thames Valley Police.

"With the ongoing support of emergency services, work is continuing to recover the men's bodies from the scene.

"We anticipate that this will happen by the end of the day.

"With support from ourselves, the Air Accident Investigation Branch are continuing their work to understand the circumstances of this incident."

"We would like to thank the Waddesdon estate for their support of the emergency services in responding to this incident, and we would also like to thank the public for their continued patience."

Captain Phil Croucher, who served in the Army with Captain Green, said his death in the crash was a "sad loss".

The head of training at the Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training Ground School also said he believed the crash was an accident and no negligence was involved.

Mr Croucher, 65, said Mr Green, also thought to be in his 60s, was on a training flight with a young student.

He told the Press Association: "It's a sad loss. We have lost somebody with a vast amount of experience that could have been passed on to younger people, apart from him being a nice guy generally.

"I used to see him, I popped in on Wednesday when I was passing and had a cup of tea. He was always there before anybody else.

"All of a sudden he's not there.

"He's gone through no fault of his own and everyone's lost a good friend and mentor."

Mr Croucher said claims on a pilot forum by an air traffic controller who said he saw the aircraft disappear on radar suggested the two had collided accidentally.

He said the claims were that the helicopter had been flying a straight path and the aircraft was descending, and the pilot would have been unable to see due to "blind spots" below and behind, although he added it was "conjecture".

He added: "From the available evidence, it's as near to a proper accident as you are likely to see - no negligence, absolutely none.

"That airspace was free airspace."

Supt Mears said air crash investigators and police are expected to be at the scene until at least Monday.

She said it was "too early to tell" what might have caused the crash, adding: "These are the early stages of the investigation however Thames Valley Police will continue to work closely with investigators as they establish the circumstances."

Police, paramedics and firefighters were at the scene.

Pictures from BBC News and Sky News appeared to show wreckage in woodland and a forensic tent appeared to have been set up at the scene.

Air crash investigators were sent to the scene, but at the time police said the priority was saving lives.

RAF Halton, which is around 10 miles away, said no military aircraft had been involved.

The plane that crashed is believed to be a Cessna 152, which has capacity for one pilot and one passenger.

It was built in 1982 and owned by Airways Aero Associations, which is based at the Wycombe Air Park.

It had flown almost 14,000 hours as of May and had previously suffered substantial damage to its landing gear, propeller and engine following a crash at a Cornish airfield in 1993.

An archived report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) shows the pilot admitted the accident was caused by his "misjudgment and lack of experience".