Ukip's Farage 'lucky to be alive' after air crash

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has spoken about his "miraculous escape" from a light plane crash after an election stunt went dramatically wrong.

The MEP, who is standing in the General Election for Buckingham, was pulled bloodied and dazed from the crushed cockpit of the plane which was towing a banner bearing a Ukip election slogan.

In a statement, Mr Farage said of the crash, which also injured pilot Justin Adams: "We've both had a miraculous escape. We are both very lucky to be alive."

Mr Farage is being treated at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where a hospital spokeswoman said he was likely to remain "for a few days".

His spokesman Duncan Barkes said: "He is not going anywhere today. There is no way he will be at the count tomorrow. He's got two broken ribs, a small chip to his spine and damage to his sternum."