THIS was the dramatic scene as rescuers fought to free an 82-year-old pilot whose microlight had nose-dived into a ditch (writes Lynn Cox).

The pilot, who broke his legs in the crash, was about to land when the plane lost airspeed and plunged into a ditch on Saturday afternoon.

He was approaching Medway Air Sports landing strip when the aircraft crashed into the ditch next to the sea wall at Upper Stoke, near Hoo.

A major rescue operation was launched, which involved the Coastguard, Kent Air Ambulance, the Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Ambulance NHS Trust and Medway police.

The pilot, who is from Tooting in London, has not been named. He has been a member of the Medway Air Sports flying group for nearly 25 years. After being freed from the wreckage, he was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital by road.

A spokesman for Strood Fire and Rescue Service said: "We cut the man free from the aircraft as he was trapped.

"We also put a blanket of foam across the crash site as there was damage to the aircraft and the engine could have ignited."

Medway paramedic Andrea Mclean, who treated the man at the scene, said: "He was a sprightly gentleman who chatted to me throughout his treatment and on the way to the hospital.

"He was treated for suspected fractures to both legs."

The pilot is the oldest member of the flying club and has been flying for more than two decades.

One witness to the rescue operation was Bob Ryan who lives in Gillingham. He said: "I saw the air ambulance hovering above the crash scene and so I went over to have a look and took a picture. It was an amazing scene, but I was stopped by the emergency services from getting too close."

Flying club owner Chris Draper said the