Ex-regional press photographers have told how they were among the press scrum to capture images of one of the biggest breaking entertainment news stories in the world.

The searching of Michael Jackson’s home Neverland and his surrendering in Santa Barbara, California, saw at least three former UK staffers chasing the images of the day.

Ex-Lincolnshire Echo and Hull Daily Mail snapper Frazer Harrison, now with Getty Images Entertainment, booked a helicopter to join the media scrum.

Another new chopper had former Brighton Argus snapper David Buchan, now with the LA-based White Bronco agency, and Stewart Cook, a former Reading Evening Post man who is now with Rex Features, on board.

Frazer re-lived the thrill of the chase.

He told Holdthefrontpage: “I first got the call at around 9.30am that something was going down at the Neverland ranch in Los Olivos which is 50 miles north of Santa Barbara.

“After a quick briefing with my office it was decided that so as not to waste time I should get a helicopter and get up there asap.

“After a break-neck speed drive to the airport I jumped aboard a six-seater chopper and off we went – getting to fly over the fire-ravaged hills of California.”

After about 40 minutes he was over Neverland watching the events from the sky.

“After a couple of fly-bys I noticed a police vehicle driving through the ranch and told the pilot to hover while I got some shots.

“Luckily for me it drove right past the Neverland railway station, which has a huge garden bed clock saying Neverland.

“This was the shot I needed, clearly showing the Santa Barbara Sheriffs on the pop stars property.

“After about four more fly-bys and shots of the mass media the amusement park and Jacko’s zoo, I was starting to feel a little bit disoriented from the copter movement and taking pictures at the same time so I knew at that moment it was time to get back to terra firma.

“From this point I had to rent a car and drive to Neverland itself to join the media frenzy.”

David said: “Me and Stewart had just arrived at the ranch and both of us were taking pictures from the small open windows in the side doors of the helicopter.”

David and Stewart transmitted their images from the helicopter while still in the air, and returned to Los Angeles.

Frazer stayed on in the area for the next three days covering Michael’s return to Santa Barbara and him handing himself over to the authorities.

He said: “It was a amazing experience, from the aerial shots to the day when Michael returned, there was a lot of ducking and weaving and second guessing going on but it all worked out in the end.

“Many of my images were printed in papers and magazines all around the world due to the speed in which I got them out.”

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