A pilot who was killed after his helicopter crashed into a crane in central London had been advised not to embark on the journey because of poor visibility.

The crane operator only survived yesterday’s Vauxhall helicopter crash in London because he was running late for the first-ever time in his job and had not reached his cabin when the aircraft came down, a lorry driver said.

In London, specialists are working to ensure the area where a helicopter crashed remains safe.

The pilot who died in today’s dramatic central London helicopter crash worked on Hollywood films and was described as a hero and “one of the best” by former colleagues today.

The pilot who died today after the helicopter he was flying crashed in London was named by sources as Pete Barnes.