A Bradford businessman was among four men killed when a helicopter owned by a Bradford firm crashed into a field.

Father-of-two Tim Mark Newburn ran the TM Newburn Group generator company in Low Moor.

He died alongside Gary Priestley, 39, of Lees Buildings, Hipperholme, Andy Patrick, 37, of Askwith, near Otley, and Mr Patrick's father, Peter Patrick, 68, of Arkholme, Lancashire.

Friends of Mr Newburn, 39, who lived at a large farmhouse in Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse, have reacted with shock and sadness to the tragedy.

The men had been travelling to a pheasant shoot in Scotland when the Robinson R44 aircraft crashed. It had set off from Carnforth, Lancashire, at about 7pm on Friday en route to Lochmaben, near Lockerbie.

It was reported missing later that night and a farmer discovered the wreckage in a field near Gatebeck, Kendal, shortly before midday on Saturday.

The helicopter had been hired from Goss Air, at the Euroway Trading Estate in Oakenshaw, Bradford. It had been operated by Multiflight, based at Leeds-Bradford Airport.

Lisa Haigh, of Lisa's Sandwich Shop, in Low Moor, said: "Mr Newburn came into our shop three or four times a week because he only worked 200 yards away. At weekends, he would bring his daughter with him, who was about seven or eight years old. He idolised her and she idolised him."

Minaz Ladak, of M&M Wines, in Hipperholme, said: "Gary and Tim were very nice lads. They were both pleasant people. They are going to be sadly missed. Tim was a nice working class guy who made it big. He did well for himself."

Mr Ladak believed Mr Priestley worked for GSM mobile communications company. Mr Newburn lived at a farm off Birkby Lane, Bailiff Bridge, and is believed to have held a senior position at the TM Newburn Group, in New Works Road, Low Moor.

The Patricks built up a construction company called Termrim in Huddersfield. Peter Patrick had just retired and his son had taken over the business. Andy leaves a wife, Jilly and three children, Grace, four, Abbey, three, and one-year-old Jonty. His mother, Rita Patrick is being comforted by the couple's daughter, Nicola, of Thirsk, mother of Daniel and Laura.

The four bodies were found among the wreckage of the aircraft by a Polish farm worker.

A Multiflight spokesman said: "We can confirm that one of our privately-owned home-based helicopters, a Robinson R44 Raven II, has been involved in a fatal accident which took place near Gatebeck, Kendal.

"The aircraft departed its home base at Leeds-Bradford International Airport on Friday at 6.40pm local time with three people on board a private flight bound for Carnforth, Lancashire.

"At approximately 7pm the aircraft took off from Carnforth with a fourth person on board en route for a site near Lockerbie, Scotland. The helicopter crashed approximately five miles after take-off."

Police and the Air Accident Investigation Board are handling the incident and the wreckage has been taken to Farnborough.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the area had experienced heavy rain and winds on Friday.

Air accident investigators were yesterday continuing their inquiries at the crash scene near Sill Field Farm.