Wreckage strewn over fields in north Nottinghamshire is all that is left of the RAF fighter and Cessna light aircraft that collided yesterday.

Lessons can be learned after every air crash. The investigation team in this case may well recommend ways to improve safety at low levels in uncontrolled air space.

The number of people flying light aircraft is increasing. And although mid-air collisions are very rare, they are also increasing. If safety can be improved, now is the time to do it - before our skies get more crowded. That is as important in North Yorkshire, with its many RAF bases, as anywhere.

The lives of the people in the air are not the only ones at risk. Yesterday's crash happened close to a primary school. No one was hurt on the ground. Next time we may not be so lucky.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.