POLICE have reiterated the potentially ‘devastating consequences’ of shining laser pens at aircraft following an alleged incident involving the constabulary helicopter.

The police helicopter was scrambled to assist officers on the ground in Winsford on Sunday, September 7 after the train driver of a south-bound service contacted police to report a death on the line.

A 28-year-old victim from the Parkfield area of Wolverhampton, who had links to Winsford, was struck by a train just outside the railway station at 8.57pm.

A spokesman for Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “While assisting police on the ground an officer on board the helicopter reported that there were a group of youths in Bradbury Road, one of which was shining a laser pen into the cockpit.

“This is a very serious matter and could quite easily have resulted in the pilot losing control of the helicopter, the consequences of which could be devastating.”

Following enquiries a 16-year-old male was arrested for recklessly or negligently acting in a manor likely to endanger an aircraft or person in an aircraft.

He has been bailed to September 20 pending further enquiries.

Regarding the death on the railway, a British Transport Police spokesman said: “We were called to the line close to Winsford station in Cheshire shortly before 9pm on Sunday, 7 September following a report a man had been struck by a train.

“Officers attended the incident alongside colleagues from Cheshire Constabulary and North West Ambulance Service.

“A 28-year-old man from Wolverhampton was pronounced dead at the scene.

“His death is currently being treated as unexplained.

“The man’s family has been informed. An inquest into his death opened and adjourned on Wednesday, 10 September.”