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An airport owner from the West Midlands has been named as the second Briton killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps.
Anthony Hall, known as Tony, was on board a Cirrus SR22T propeller-powered aircraft when it came down near the resort of Leukerbad in the southern state of Valais on September 15, killing him and two others.
The businessman was managing director of construction and recycling company Pegasus, based in Lye, near Stourbridge.
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businessman → see → Stourbridge
Described by his family as an 'incredible dad', Mr Hall also owned Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, located in Bobbington, Staffordshire, which his company bought for £4.5million in 2023.
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company → describe → 2023
Officials investigating the fatal crash say the plane took off from Sion airport in the Rhône Valley and crashed high into a mountain slope around 10 minutes later.
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plane → investigate → slope
Firefighters, police and Valais Rescue Organisation teams raced to the scene in helicopters.
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Firefighters → race → helicopters
A probe is underway by the Swiss Transportation Safety Board and Valais Police, while the Office of the Attorney General are also investigating, but the cause of the crash remains unknown.
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cause → investigate → crash
Mr Hall's family said they were 'completely heartbroken by the loss of a truly wonderful husband, devoted father and much-loved man'.
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they → say → husband
Airport owner Anthony Hall, pictured, has been named as the second Briton killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps
Mr Hall pictured with former local MP Suzanne Webb, who paid tribute to the businessman in the wake of his death
In a statement, they added: 'Tony was an exceptional businessman who achieved great things in the construction/haulage industry, and his commitment to succeed and progress never faltered.
'
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commitment → picture → industry
He was first and foremost a loving husband and an incredible dad to his daughter, whose family meant everything to him.
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family → love → him
'We will miss him immensely and will remember him as the kind, caring, generous, determined and fantastic character he was.'
Asking for privacy in the wake of their loss, the family said: 'Our hearts go out to those who also lost their lives in this terrible tragedy.'
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who → miss → tragedy
Former MP for Stourbridge, Suzanne Webb on Thursday said: 'Tony will always be a legend to me.
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Tony → say → me
What he achieved in helping build Pegasus into the success it is today, alongside the other directors, was remarkable.
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it → achieve → directors
I will miss his quick wit and humour.'
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I → miss → wit
Ms Webb also praised Mr Hall's charity work including his support for the Poppy Appeal and Military Vehicle Parade.
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Webb → praise → Appeal
'Having served in the armed forces, he gave his support willingly,' she added.
'
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she → serve → support
His life was tragically cut short, but what he achieved after leaving the army was truly inspiring, and he did it with a passion I was always in awe of.'
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I → cut → awe
A statement posted to Pegasus's Facebook page read: 'In memory of Tony Hall.
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statement → post → Hall
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Tony Hall, founder of Pegasus.
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we → announce → Pegasus
'Tony built Pegasus from the ground up through hard work, determination and genuine commitment to the business and the people within it.
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Tony → build → it
He built a strong team and a business with values and solid foundations, which he was incredibly proud of.
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he → build → which
Three people, including two Britons, died after a propeller-powered aircraft crashed in the Alps in southwest Switzerland (Pictured: the scene following the crash)
'
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aircraft → include → crash
Although a prominent business figure, he was first and foremost a loving husband and an incredible dad to his daughter, whose family meant everything to him.
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family → love → him
'We will miss him immensely and will remember him as the kind, caring, generous, determined and fantastic character he was.'
Mr Hall's Pegasus group, which offers a range of services to the construction industry, took over Halfpenny Green Airport three years ago.
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which → miss → Airport
At the time, Mr Hall spoke of his personal connection to the airfield, having learned to fly there.
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Hall → speak → airfield
He said: 'Such a unique opportunity to acquire Wolverhampton Airport was one not to be missed.
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opportunity → say → Airport
'First and foremost, I've always been a huge aviation enthusiast and having learnt to fly at the airport it holds a place of special significance for me.
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it → learn → me
The airport is somewhat of a local treasure so its importance in the area was a factor not only for its resident pilots but also for the surrounding landscape and its neighbours.
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importance → surround → landscape
Lastly, the airport is a business which I hope to see progress and strive to become a thriving airfield for all to appreciate.'
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all → hope → progress
Before setting up the business, Mr Hall had served with the Parachute Regiment.
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Hall → set → Regiment
The Foreign Office has said it is 'providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland'.
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who → say → Switzerland
'Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time,' it added.
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it → remain → time
Last week, engineering boss Owain Davies, 55, was the first Briton to be named as a victim of the crash.
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Davies → name → crash
Father-of-two Mr Davies was described by his firm Amcanu as an 'unstoppable force' and a 'very good friend'.
He took over the running of the company in Burry Port, South Wales, in 2000, after it was founded by his father Spencer Davies OBE in 1975.
The company said: 'He was a familiar face on the factory floor, an unstoppable force, a mentor and, for many people who have spent a significant part of their working lives at Amcanu a very good friend.
'
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who → describe → Amcanu
The tribute went on to describe Mr Davies as 'a real character' who was 'determined, strong-willed, spirited, reflective and immensely proud'.
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who → go → character
It continued: 'There was another side of Owain that not everybody knew about.
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everybody → continue → that
He loved flying.
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He → love → flying
Owain was an experienced pilot and aviation was a genuine passion – technically, socially and simply for the freedom and enjoyment it gave him.
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it → give → him
'He had a large circle of friends within the aviation community and would fly his helicopter whenever the opportunity arose.
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opportunity → have → helicopter
'He didn't make a great show of it.
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He → make → it
In fact, many people who knew him professionally may never have known how important aviation was to him.
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aviation → know → him
At the time of the accident, Owain was travelling as a passenger, alongside two of his closest friends.
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Owain → travel → friends
…and 10 more, not listed.
The Aporia
