A regional daily deputy editor has recalled how, as a young journalist, he helped rescue stricken victims from the Kegworth plane disaster 25 years ago.

Ian Croson, left, was a trainee reporter on the Coalville Times at the time of the 1989 tragedy in which a plane crashed onto the M1 while attempting to land at East Midlands airport.

Arriving at the scene, he found himself pressed into action as part of a team of volunteers helping to carry crash victims to safety.

Now deputy editor of the Derby Telegraph, Ian has written a first person piece recalling his experiences.

Ian recalled how, after arriving at the scene and climbing to the top of the motorway embankment where the plane came down, he was hailed by a member of the emergency services urging him to come and help.

“I did as I was told and, with three others, we each took hold of a corner of a blanket. There was a man inside and we were to carry him down the embankment,” he wrote.

“It was hard work and the man in the blanket was heavy. He was a youngish man, probably a few years older than me, but heavily built and looked at least 6ft.

“I wondered why there didn’t seem much blood from his wounds and then it dawned on me – he had died. We carried him to the foot of the embankment and carefully placed him down.”

Ian went on to relate how he carried another victim down the embankment to enable her to receive emergency treatment.

“My notebook stayed in my pocket and I carried on offering help in any way I could,” he wrote.

“As the hours ticked by, more emergency workers arrived, steps were dug into the embankment to help the rescue effort, human chains formed to carry equipment back and forth and civilian helpers slowly and politely moved away.”

Ian’s piece can be read in full here.