Minehead links for plane crash hero

Minehead residents could bump into a national hero after it was revealed that the pilot of the stricken Boeing 777 at London’s Heathrow has a holiday home at Butlins.

Captain Peter Burkill, 44, averted catastrophe on Thursday by gliding the jet into the airport after its engines failed.

The British Airways pilot’s holidaying habits were revealed in a testimonial for a Butlins timeshare promotion, which said he enjoys up to four holidays a year with his family including an annual skiing trip and summer sun in the Caribbean.

He also revealed that his two-year-old son, Troy, had already clocked up 25,000 air miles from global travel.

“We like to have around four holidays year and always spend two of those at Butlins,” he said.

“Best of all, the resort at Minehead offers unrivalled entertainment and activities for the children.”

The Minehead holiday home is a long way from the resort’s original chalet accommodation. The flats in the £4.5million complex cost from £6,000 to £14,000 for a 30-year lease.

Capt Burkill kept Flight BA038 airborne over houses and schools before crash landing just 500-feet short of the runway in a field and clearing the airport’s perimeter fencing by only five feet.

The undercarriage of the failed plane was partially ripped off, along with two wheels.

Amazingly, only 19 of the 136 passengers and crew were hurt - mostly suffering minor injuries.

By Lloyd Vaughan Somerset County gazette