Barry Dodd presents an award to young ranger Joey Graham at the launch of the North York Moors National Park Trust in November 2017

Barry Dodd presents an award to young ranger Joey Graham at the launch of the North York Moors National Park Trust in November 2017

National park bosses have paid tribute to a man who died in a helicopter crash in North Yorkshire.

The North York Moors authority said Barry Dodd was a great friend and supporter of the park.

He died when the aircraft he was piloting crashed at Aldborough near Boroughbridge on Wednesday. No-one else was in the helicopter at the time.

The businessman was the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

The national park authority said it was deeply saddened by the news of his death.

An authority spokesperson said: “Barry was a great friend to the national park, who cared tremendously about the local area and was never too busy to lend his support to a cause he believed in.

“Barry was passionate about creating training and employment opportunities in rural areas, and was especially supportive of the national park authority’s youth engagement work and apprenticeship scheme.”

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “Barry’s commitment to helping others was really quite staggering.

“He was an extremely successful businessperson, and no doubt very busy, and yet he will be remembered across our region for his unwavering dedication to public service.

“He conveyed great warmth wherever he went and whoever he spoke to, and our thoughts are with Barry’s family at this very difficult time.”

Mr Dodd lived near the village of Carlton in Cleveland, on the edge of the North York Moors.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Sadly, the pilot of the private aircraft was pronounced dead at the scene following the helicopter crash near Aldborough.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Police officers and representatives of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch are continuing their enquiries into the cause of the crash.

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