Inquest opened into Long Marston gyrocopter death (From Cotswold Journal)

Inquest opened into Long Marston gyrocopter death

9:00am Saturday 28th March 2009 in News By Simon Crump

AN inquest has been formally opened into the death of a fox hunt supporter who lived near Shipston and died when he was allegedly in collision with a gyrocopter.

The inquest into the death of Trevor Malcolm Morse, 48, from Alderminster, was opened by Warwickshire coroner, Sean McGovern, at Leamington Spa Town Hall.

Mr McGovern adjourned the inquest to a date to be arranged.

Mr Morse died of head injuries in the incident that happened at Long Marston Airfield, near Mickleton, at about 3pm on Monday, March 9.

Police arrested two men in connection with the incident and held them in custody at Leamington Spa police station.

They charged one of the men - Bryan Griffiths, 54, of Bedworth - with the murder of Mr Morse.

Griffiths appeared at Warwick Crown Court where a judge remanded him in custody to appear before the court again on Wednesday, May 27.

Officers released the second man on police bail, without charging him, pending further inquiries.

Mr Morse was a follower of the Warwickshire Hunt.

His partner, Caroline, and their family were too upset to comment shortly after the incident.

However, members of the hunt paid tribute to him by saying he was a “special man” and a “wonderful” partner to Caroline.

The hunt set up a memorial fund, in Mr Morse’s memory, on the day the inquest was opened.

This fund will assist his family financially by helping them meet expenses ensuing from his death and the legal process.

It will also be used to support projects reflecting Mr Morse's love of Warwickshire Hunt’s hounds, hunting generally and the countryside.