THE family of a 25-year-old woman killed in a glider accident on Sunday have spoken of their devastation.

University researcher Amy Barsby was flying solo during a competition at Bicester airfield, in Buckingham Road, when the glider spiralled out of control.

Paramedics rushed to help, but Miss Barsby, from Longridge, near Preston, Lancashire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her father, Steve Barsby, a social worker at Lancashire County Council, said: “There are no words. Devastation is one that comes to mind, the sense of loss is overwhelming.”

He added: “It was such a shock when police arrived, I spotted them through the window.

“Seeing two police officers at the front door meant I was going to receive bad news.

“That was all the warning I had, it was two or three seconds before the door was opened.”

Her sister Lorna, said: “It is the nightmare scenario you know could happen but you do not think is going to happen to you.”

The Air Accident Investigation Agency is investigating the incident.