A WORCESTER schoolboy who survived the plane crash which claimed the lives of his parents is now conscious.
George Tonkinson is currently in Southampton General Hospital where he had been fighting for his life after the light air craft he was travelling in came down near Popham Airfield in Hampshire about 3.43pm on Saturday (January 3).
The crash killed his father Lewis, 50, who was piloting the plane and mother Sally, 44, but six-year-old George is now thought to be awake and is expected to recover from his injuries.
His headteacher Jim Turner, from King’s Hawford Junior School in Claines near Worcester said he was deeply saddened by the incident.
“George is a lovely boy. He is keen always to be fully involved in all of our school activities and is popular and well-liked with his year group.
“He will need the support of those close to him at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. We have been informed George is conscious and making a recovery from this horrific incident. We hope he will be transferred to a hospital closer to home in the near future.”
He added the school had held a special assembly where they had all prayed for George and his family.
There is speculation Mr Tonkinson, who had just celebrated turning 50 on New Year’s Day, had been attempting an emergency landing at Popham Airfield after weather conditions deteriorated.
Mr Tonkinson, who studied electronic engineering at the University of Warwick, was the director of his own company, Pinnacle Marketing Communications, which he set up 21 years ago and co-founded with Simon Flatt.
A statement by Mr Flatt on the company’s website said: “Lewis and Sally were a hugely popular couple and their tragic and untimely loss will leave a big gap in the lives of the great many people that knew and loved them.
“We would like to thank all of those who have contacted us to express their condolences.”
The Air Accident Investigation Branch is looking into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Initial enquiries show the plane took off from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
In total 25 firefighters were sent to the scene along with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, three ambulances, three rapid response cars and an ambulance doctor.
Post mortems were expected to take place today (Tuesday).
