A WEST Devon cyclist had a lucky escape last week after a fuel tank from a RAF jet fell to the ground and missed him by a few feet. Les Sprason was cycling through Winkleigh when the auxiliary fuel tank flew over his head and landed in a grass verge next to the A3124. A military investigation is underway following the incident, which occurred shortly after 10am last Friday. The aircraft was on a routine training flight when the ten-foot long metal tank appeared to come away prior to making an emergency landing at RNAS Yeovilton. Winkleigh resident Les, 66, said he thought he was going to die when the tank somersaulted through the air and narrowly missed him. He said: ?I was aware of a jet coming from my right hand side at low altitude. I was aware something broke away from the aircraft but I wasn?t quite sure what it was. ?The tank impacted in a field then it came spirailing over my head and came to rest in the hedgerow. I had to duck instinctively as it passed by. ?Aviation fuel was spurting out ? my initial reaction was I am going to die, because it is going to explode and this is me finished.? He added: ?I was lucky. I think if it had impacted on the road, my time would have come. ? Mr Sprason said aircraft regularly carried out low flying manoeuvres over Winkleigh, and neighbours in the park home site in which he lived had repeatedly called on the RAF to stop low flying over the village. Military units and emergency services attended the scene and the road was cordoned off and closed for four hours while the tank was safely recovered. Devon Fire and Rescue Service examined the tank and ascertained it was empty but because of danger of fire from vapours the road remained closed.
