A dedicated supporter of an Ayrshire charity has tragically died after a jet crash over mountains in Italy. Tributes have been paid to Dave Ashley, 49, a former RAF pilot who helped raise thousands for Whiteleys Retreat.
The experienced pilot was flying on a training exercise in a Leonardo M-346 type jet which went down near the Colico (Monte Legnone), between Como and Lecco in Northern Italy on Wednesday, March 16.
Both pilots ejected but sadly mercy crews found Dave dead at the crash site. Ayrshire business chief Dave previously lived in Prestwick with his Scots wife Heather Ashley and their sons Finn and Harvey.
The family moved to Dorset but both Dave and Heather continued to run their property investment firm Ashley Property Group, registered in Prestwick.
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