A TOP horse racing trainer and multi-millionaire owner cheated death in a horror helicopter crash. Welsh Grand National-winning trainer Sam Thomas, 38, and popular owner Dai Walters, thought to be 76, were among five on board the chopper.
Walters, who is believed to be worth around £264million, remains in hospital with serious injuries but is said to be conscious.
He was one of two the Welsh Ambulance Service said had been rushed to Glan Clwyd hospital in Rhyl.
Thomas, who was a top jockey before becoming a trainer and opened up to Sun Racing about the hell he endured when quitting the saddle, is said to have returned home with minor injuries.
Nobody involved is believed to have suffered life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
The helicopter crashed to ground in woodland in Denbighshire, Wales, on Tuesday evening.
There was reported to be a ‘huge rescue response’ launched at Llanelidan, near Ruthin, at about 5.30pm.
Inspector David Cust from North Wales Police said: “Officers attended alongside colleagues from Welsh Ambulance and North Wales Fire and Rescue as part of a joint emergency response.
“None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening or life-changing at this time.
“Whilst a multiple agency response remains at the scene, the ongoing investigation into the cause will be dealt with by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.”
Phil Bell, executive director at Chepstow and Ffos Las, said on Wednesday evening: “Dai is conscious and has been speaking to his family.
“He’s undergoing some further tests in hospital today on his injuries.”
Huw Howatson witnessed the incident and told the BBC the horror scenes were straight out of a disaster movie.
He said: “It was horrible, I watched it happen and I was filming the helicopter.
“I could see it was in trouble and it hit some trees and I had to get out the way.
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