A GLIDER pilot was injured in a spectacular nose-dive crash into a brook.

Farmer Andrew Berry, 43, was attempting to take off in his powered glider near his home in Moss Lane home, Chipping, when the accident happened.

His girlfriend Heidi Smith said he failed to get up enough power to clear the trees at the end of the field.

He lifted the nose of the machine but the engine stalled when he was 50ft up, nose-diving through the trees into a stream at about 3pm on Saturday.

Passing walkers and a farmer saw the crash, dragged him out of the water and called for an ambulance, which took him to the Royal Preston Hospital.

Paramedics said he had head and shoulder injuries.

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team were called to the crash by police but paramedics had already managed to get him into the vehicle.

Heidi said: "He has hurt his cheek but he's all right, he hasn't broken any bones. He is lucky to be alive."

Mr Berry was discharged from hospital yesterday but said he did not want to talk about the incident.