A SALTASH man, whose quick-thinking enabled him to pull a friend from the wreckage following a microlight crash, has been told he is a finalist in the Civil Aviation Authority safety awards.

Jim Holloway, a microlight pilot himself, is one of three finalists selected by the CAA's judging panel for the awards.

The panel said by pulling his friend, also from the Saltash area, from the wreckage, and immediately alerting the emergency services, he materially assisted in saving his life.

The incident happened last year when Jim, of Tower View, and his fellow microlight pilot, were flying over Ugborough in Devon on their way to Dartmouth to see Pete Goss' ill-fated catamaran.

Jim, 59, heard over the radio that his colleague's engine had failed, and he immediately knew that help may be needed, especially as the terrain beneath them was so hilly.

When the other microlight crashed into a hedge he quickly landed in the field beside it, ran over and pulled his friend, who was almost doubled over, from the crumpled plane.

He then used his mobile telephone to call the emergency services who took his colleague, who suffered three broken vertebrae in his back and a smashed ankle, to hospital.

Jim said there had been the possibility of the damaged microlight catching fire as the fuel tank was behind its seat - but thankfully it hadn't fractured.

He and his colleague have been flying for about 12 years, and learnt microlight skills as members of the flying club at Davidstow.

Flying

Jim, who has not been put off flying by the incident, said that for lovers of the West Country there is no better way to see the region than from the air.

He was nominated for the awards by another microlight pilot, Geoff Dalton of Yelverton, who is currently building a super microlight.

Geoff will be travelling with Jim, as will the colleague he rescued, to the awards ceremony at the RAF club in Piccadilly, London on May 29.

Jim said his fellow pilot is still recovering from the crash, but is thinking of taking to the air again soon.

The CAA safety awards scheme recognises people within the UK's general aviation community whose outstanding airmanship, practical skills, quick-thinking and common sense have averted a serious or possibly fatal incident.