A woodland manager who helped rescue a crashed Oxfordshire pilot, last night described the harsh conditions faced by search teams.

David Millin used his Land Rover to reach the critically-injured pilot, Tom Miller, because dense woodland and freezing fog made ambulance access impossible.

Mr Millin was joined in the search by a helicopter crew in the air and emergency teams and residents on the ground. Some rode Oxford University-owned quad bikes.

The 41-year-old also spent half an hour searching the 2,000-acre site at Wytham Great Woods on foot following the accident on Wednesday evening.

He said: "It was very cold, very muddy and the crash site was on a steep slope. It was pitch black. We could have walked past 30ft away and we would not have known.

"Without the helicopter, he would not have been found. We took the spinal board down with the ambulance crew in the Land Rover. Ambulance staff stabilised him and lifted him in the back.

"We drove about a quarter of a mile. It was a very steep slope and I was wheel-spinning all the way up the hill. He wasn't talking. I think he was unconscious. I did not even hear him cry out."

Mr Millin, a land manager at Hill End Residential and Field Studies Centre near Farmoor, drove the pilot, Tom Miller, to a waiting ambulance a quarter of mile away.

Coastguard crews and firefighters have also spoken of the difficulties they faced.

Station manager Jason Crapper said about 40 firefighters joined the search for Mr Miller, who was found lying about 10m from the wreckage.

He said: "It was pretty difficult based on the fact that it was a very wide area to search, but thankfully the helicopter made short work of it. There was a fire at the scene, involving the plane and its fuel, but that was largely extinguished on our arrival. Whether he was jettisoned out of it or dragged himself out isn't clear."

Coastguard winch operator John Spencer was one of four staff on the Hampshire-based helicopter which found Mr Miller.

He said the search was initially hampered by low cloud, freezing fog and nearby electricity wires.

But he added conditions later cleared and infrared equipment helped locate the plane's wreckage.

The 51-year-old said: "When we heard he was alive everyone was really, really pleased because it makes it all worthwhile."

An air accident investigation into the crash has started.

  • Father-of-three Tom Miller, of Folland Close, Chipping Norton, was in a serious but stable condition at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital last night.

His son Sam, 23, said: "He's a lot more stable than he was. Obviously it's really good news.

"From the sound of it, the way that the plane hit the woods was really fortunate - the fuselage avoided the major trees. I think the wings took the brunt.

"We are so grateful to everyone who helped with the search. He could well have been dead now if they did not have that technology.

"It's kind of a Christmas miracle."