A CORONER has called for power lines in low flying zones to be protected with high visibility markings after an Army helicopter pilot from Chipping Sodbury died after hitting high voltage cables.

Warrant Officer Vince Hussell and his colleague Lieutenant Mark Reynolds were killed when their Squirrel helicopter hit 33,000 volt power lines at Kingscott, near Torrington, North Devon, four years ago.

Although they knew the 130-foot high copper lines were there the pair could not see them because they had oxidized and turned green, making them camouflage against the green wooded valley.

Recording a narrative verdict at the inquest in Exeter, greater Devon coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland recommended better liaison between the military and power companies and high visibility markings on cables in danger areas.

She said: "Even though the presence of the lines was known, they were impossible to see in some lights. I consider this to have been a crucial factor in these deaths.

"The pilots did not realise the height of the lines. It is important for military aviators to be allowed every opportunity to fly low as they prepare for combat."

She said she plans to write to the Ministry of Defence and power distribution companies alerting them to the lessons of the accident.

WO Hussell, 36, and Lt Reynolds, 24, from Aslockton, Nottinghamshire, were both based with the 670 Regiment Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

WO Hussell, originally from Chipping Sodbury but who lived in Martin-le-Moor, Ripon, Yorks at the time of his death, was a veteran pilot with more than 2,000 hours flying experience.

The father-of-three was training his younger colleague but an inquiry by experts from the Army and the Air Accident Investigation Branch failed to establish which of the pilots was in control at the time of the crash.

Colonel Murray Whiteside, Commandant of Army Aviation, told the inquest all but three of the 38 recommendations of the board of inquiry had been implemented.

He was asked about the feasibility of marking power lines in low flying areas and said: "It may be difficult but a lot of things are in life, if we take responsibility for safety in our society."

Speaking after the inquest, his widow Liz said she was pleased with the safety recommendations.

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution, which maintains the power lines, said the inquest’s recommendations would be examined.