A teenage boy killed in a mid-air collision has been described as “engaging and gentle” by his family.

Nicholas Langley-Rice, 15, of Calcot, Reading, and Flight Lieutenant Michael Blee, 62, of St Mary’s Green, Abingdon, died when their Grob Tutor training aircraft and a glider collided above Drayton on Sunday.

Julia and John Rice this afternoon paid tribute to their son.

They said: “Nicholas, known to his friends and family as Nik, attended Elvian School in Bath Road, Reading. He was very creative, single-minded, charming, engaging and gentle. He had a lovely sense of humour and had a passion for flying and skiing. He also loved his music, living for his electric guitar and regularly took piano lessons.

“When he left school he wanted to become an aeronautical engineer, he was in the CCF and was very accomplished. He had lots of friends and got on well with everyone; he was very popular and had good morals.

“This is a great shock to us and he will be missed by everyone.”