British pilot dies as his aircraft hits sea off Spanish beach
An "experienced pilot", 66, died after his light aircraft plunged into the sea off Spain on Saturday.
Paul Lowry, who was from Smethwick in the West Midlands but who lived in Spain, had taken off from Totana Airdrome in the Murcia region in the southeast of the country.
He crashed into the ocean next to Descargador Beach, 60 miles from his take-off point, at 11.30am on Saturday.
Local media reported that his body was carried to shore by people who had been doing water sports nearby.
One man who helped pull the body from the sea said he saw Mr Lowry floating face down a few minutes after the plane hit the water.
Police and coastguard divers searched the crash area before confirming that Mr Lowry had been alone in the plane.
The incident is being investigated by Spanish police and the Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission: the agency responsible for air crashes in the country.
Mr Lowry was described as a "very experienced pilot who had been flying for many years" by Javier Martinez Pacheco, head of flights at Totana Airdrome.
Mr Pacheco told local media: "He was also a very serious pilot who never did anything silly with his plane when he was in it. We are mourning the loss of a companion and suffering with his family and feeling absolutely devastated."
He added: "Paul followed all the rules. He was very correct and responsible in the way he flew in this plane and others he had before."
Mr Lowry lived in the Spanish port city of Cartagena with his wife Anne.
Ana Belen Castejon, mayor of the city, said: "My sincere condolences to the friends and loved ones of the man who has died. Sadly, nothing could be done to save his life."
