Farage plane escape 'remarkably lucky' (From Bucks Free Press)

Buckingham MP candidate Nigel Farage injured in plane crash

10:12am Thursday 6th May 2010 in News By Simon Farr

BUCKINGHAM parliamentary UKIP candidate Nigel Farage is “unlikely” to be able to attend the constituency election count after being injured in a plane crash earlier today.

The former leader of the UK Independence Party is believed to have walked out of the light aircraft following the crash at Hinton-In-The-Hedges Air Field, Northamptonshire, at around 8am.

He was taken to Horton General Hospital in Banbury for injuries to his face and midriff.

He has since been transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he is said to be in a “stable condition”.

But a hospital spokesman said Mr Farage was “unlikely” to be able to attend the count, which is to be held at the Aylesbury Civic Centre tomorrow.

Chris Adams, UKIP parliamentary candidate for Aylesbury, told the Bucks Free Press that Mr Farage had been “coming in and out of consciousness” but was “doing OK”.

He added: “He's got facial injuries and he has got a problem in his midriff, in his ribs and has had a number of x-rays to see what sort of damage has been caused. But thankfully, it is not life threatening.

“I was driving around the Aylesbury constituency towing the UKIP trailer when I heard the news but that has been put on hold because people's lives come first.”

A spokesman for John Stevens, standing as an Independent in the race for the Buckingham seat, said: “John was very sorry to hear of Nigel's accident and has sent a card and a bouquet of flowers to him in the hospital.

“John would like to wish Nigel a speedy and full recovery, and hopefully he will be able to attend the election count tomorrow morning.”

The pilot of the plane had to be cut free from the wreckage and was air lifted to hospital in Coventry with non-life threatening injuries.

Sky News is reporting that the plane was towing a banner with the slogan 'Vote for your country - Vote Ukip', which got caught up in the plane's engine.

In a statement on its website, UKIP said: "UKIP is sure that everybody involved in today's General Election will join us in hoping and praying that the pilot recovers from his injuries as soon as possible."

Lord Pearson, the UKIP leader said later today: “We confirm that Nigel Farage has been moved from Banbury to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. We understand there was no pressing medical need for this transfer. He has been visited by his wife.

"Despite being in considerable pain, we deduce that Nigel is back to his something like his normal form. He told UKIP’s Banbury candidate Dr Sebastian Fairweather who gained access to him in hospital to ‘stop worrying about me, get back out there and get out the vote”.

"We also understand that the injuries to the pilot, Justin Adams may be less serious than previously feared though we have been unable to speak to his family.

"It is clear that both men had a remarkably lucky escape.”

Northamptonshire Police said Mr Farage and the pilot were lucky to escape from the crash, which is now being investigated by police.

Mr Farage is standing against the speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow in the Buckingham constituency in today's General Election.

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