A FIGHTER jet of the RAF crashed near Malvern, killing its pilot, the Gazette reported 50 years ago.

The pilot of the single-seater jet managed to avoid a double-decker bus and an army camp before it fell to earth near the Danemoor crossroads, Welland.

"The aircraft - a Venom fighter-bomber - missed the bus by only a few yards and crashed into a field near the Royal Engineers' camp."

A piece of metal hit the top of the bus and parts of the plane were thrown onto the Malvern-Upton road, setting fire to hedges.

The pilot was Flight Lieutenant Harry Sellers, 32, of Lowestoft. He had been transporting the aircraft between airfields in Shropshire and Gloucestershire.

At an inquest, mechanic Johnny Jones said he heard the aircraft come over the hills and noticed the engine sound seemed to die away and come on again.

He then saw it lift, then lose height rapidly and turn in a circle, and he called emergency services.

Second Lieutenant Frank Henton, of the Royal Engineers, said he saw the aircraft flying near the camp area at about 300 feet, before the nose dipped and the plane crashed.

Squadron leader John Hall, of RAF Aston Down, near Stroud, said Flight Lieutenant Sellers was a competent and experienced pilot who was familiar with the Venom.

A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded.

Other RAF crashes near Malvern over the years include a Beaufighter at South Wood, Guarlford, in April 1944, an Oxford trainer at Woodbridge Farm, Guarlford, in April 1953 and a Jaguar fighter at Home Farm, Hanley Swan, in July 1981.