THE helicopter pilot who died in the crash in London this morning has been named as Captain Pete Barnes.
Cpt Barnes was working freelance for RotorMotion, which is based at Redhill Aerodrome and describes itself as offering executive helicopter chartering. RotorMotion's website describes him as having a 'relaxed and charming manner', and says he was one of the most experienced Augusta pilots in the country.
The helicopter involved in the collision this morning was an Augusta.
It was owned by Castle Air Charters of Liskeard in Cornwall and leased to RotorMotion.
A spokesman for RotorMotion said staff were 'shocked and in mourning' for Cpt Barnes.
"Pete Barnes was an extremely well-skilled pilot with in excess of 12,000 hours on his licence," the spokesman said.
"His tragic death this morning is a great loss not only for the UK helicopter community but for RotorMotion as well.
"Our thoughts are with his young family at this sad time."
Cpt Barnes took a degree in Business Studies at the University of Derby before working as a ski instructor and guide, later going into advertising.
He then moved to the US, RotorMotion's website says, where he worked as a pilot in Florida and the East Coast.
Cpt Barnes' career in the past 18 years included flying a helicopter for Newcastle's traffic and travel service and flying the air ambulance.
He has also flown helicopters in television programmes, films and adverts, including James Bond movie Die Another Day, Saving Private Ryan and Tomb Raider II.
The company said he has worked freelance for them since 1997, adding: "We often get repeat business from clients, who request him for both his piloting skills and his relaxed charming manner."
Cpt Barnes died this morning after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a crane in the St George Wharf development in Vauxhall, central London, just after 8am.
Part of the helicopter crashed onto Wandsworth Road, hitting two cars and setting parts of two buildings alight.
One other person was confirmed dead at the scene but their identity has not been released.
Emergency services were on the scene 'within minutes', said eyewitness, with support drawn from across London.
More than 60 firefighters, eight fire engines, four fire rescue units - including one from Croydon - attended, and the flames were put out in about 20 minutes.
London Ambulance Service said six people were taken to hospital, including one with a broken leg.
A further seven people were treated at the scene.
It is believed Cpt Barnes was flying from Redhill to Elstree in Herfordshire.
London Heliport in Battersea issued a statement saying he had asked to divert there due to the bad weather.
"The helicopter involved in the accident was not destined for the London Heliport," a spokesman said.
"However, we received a request from Heathrow air traffic control to accept the helicopter, which had asked to be diverted due to bad weather.
"Earlier in the helicopter's journey the pilot had been receiving an air traffic control service from NATS. The London Heliport never gained contact with the helicopter.
"The Heliport will be closed for the rest of the day."
The crane was at St George Wharf, a 22-storey residential block overlooking the River Thames.
It has been reported that the man who was supposed to be operating the crane was late to work this morning.
