A PILOT who died when his helicopter crashed in central London was born in Nottingham and had flown the air ambulance in Notts.
Captain Pete Barnes, who grew up in Woodthorpe, was also a stunt pilot and had worked on James Bond films Casino Royale and Die Another Day.
One of his former neighbours in Albemarle Road, Woodthorpe, said: "We have known him for years. My sons were very fond of him. All my children used to play with him when they were young."
Mr Barnes was the only person in the helicopter when it hit a crane on top of The Tower, St George Wharf, by the River Thames just before 8am yesterday.
It fell 700ft to the ground, killing one other person and injuring 12 more.
Commander Neil Basu, of the Metropolitan Police, said it was "something of a miracle" that the outcome was not "many, many times worse".
Mr Barnes had flown for both the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, and the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
Air Ambulance chief executive Andy Williamson said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Pete Barnes was killed in the helicopter accident in London. Pete had worked with us for many years and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family."
The 50-year-old pilot had played squash for Notts and had been a member of Nottingham Squash Racket Club, playing at Tattershall Drive, in The Park.
Club chairman Tim Garratt said: "Pete was a member of the club for a short time in 2003. We're really sorry to hear of his death, especially in such tragic circumstances."
A Nottingham University Hospital NHS trust spokesman said: "Pete Barnes was a well-respected pilot who made a huge contribution to saving lives in Nottingham."
And Martin Wynne-Jones, president of Nottinghamians RFC, where Mr Barnes used to play rugby, said: "He was a very nice chap. He was a very nice, bubbly character and was liked across all the players.
"It's a tragic loss and there will be a number of people within the rugby club who know him and his family."
Mr Barnes is believed to have lived in Goddard's Green near Mortimer, Berkshire. He had been flying from Redhill, Surrey, to Elstree, Hertfordshire.
