A mother of four who was described as 'adventurous' has died after her light aircraft crashed near Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon on Friday. Nicola Wright, 44, an experienced aerobatic pilot, skydiver and mountain climber, was killed in front of horrified onlookers. She worked as an HR director for Medisave, a company that supplies vital medical supplies across the country. Friends and family paid tribute to the 'clever and adventurous' pilot, who had completed her first cross country flight last year, according to her social media. Devon and Cornwall Police were called shortly after 10am on Friday 26 June following a report of a light aircraft crashing near the airfield. Superintendent Jo Arundale said: 'We will be working closely with The Air Accident Investigation Branch to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. We recognise it is a very sad incident and we are appealing to the public not to speculate regarding the crash.' She added: 'Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the person involved.'
Separately, an Irish couple were killed in a devastating crash in Spain. Mark McCullagh and Michaela Newcombe, from Mullingar in Co Westmeath, died in the incident near Malaga in the early hours of Sunday June 28. Also killed was Amy McCullagh, who was married to Mark's brother Ian. Ian, 35, survived the crash but is critically ill in hospital. Mark and Michaela were in their early 30s. Michaela worked as head receptionist at Havana Sun Mullingar beauty salon, which closed as a mark of respect. Friends paid tribute on social media: one described her as 'such a kind caring beautiful soul... full of life... always smiling'. Another said: 'Her big smile and bubbly personality will be missed so incredibly.' Local Sinn Féin councillor Julie McCourt told the Irish Mirror: 'Our hearts are with the families and all who loved them in the Mullingar area and beyond. It is a devastating loss for the entire community.'
“Mother-of-four Nicola Wright killed in Devon plane crash; Irish couple Mark McCullagh and Michaela Newcombe die in Spain crash.”