THE pilot who died when a helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire has been named by police.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said on Thursday that they believed the pilot was Barry Dodd CBE, the Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire.

He said: "Sadly, the pilot of the private aircraft was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Whilst we await formal identification, we believe he is Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Mr Barry Dodd CBE. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Frances Dodd, Mr Dodd's widow, confirmed reports this afternoon.

In a statement, she said: "I am very sad to confirm the news that Barry was tragically killed in a flying accident yesterday.

"Barry was a wonderful man. He lived his life according to his values of honesty and integrity.

"He was intelligent, compassionate and visionary. He enjoyed great business success but just as important to him was his devotion to public service and helping others. He was particularly proud to serve as Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

"More than anything however, he was a loving family man and I will miss him enormously."

The helicopter crashed at about 1.25pm on Wednesday, and officers remain at the scene today, alongside the Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accidents Investigation Board, whilst investigations continue.

Jan Garrill, chief executive of the Two Ridings Community Foundation, said Mr Dodd was "a friend of the foundation, in the truest sense".

Mr Dodd, who was 71, had hosted an event for the foundation in Harrogate in January, and spoken to business leaders and potential supporters to encourage closer working.

Jan said: "He was a real champion of North Yorkshire businesses and charities alike.

"Barry was co-president of the foundation and an amazing supporter and advocate for our work. His tragic death is so devastating for his family and we send our best wishes to them at this time."

City of York Council said flags would fly at half mast in tribute to Mr Dodd today, and council leaders in York and North Yorkshire have also paid their respects.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire said news of Mr Dodd's death was "a huge shock".

He said: "Barry was very supportive of Welcome to Yorkshire right from the start. He was a wonderful man and will be a massive loss to the whole of Yorkshire.

"This will take some time to sink in; it was only earlier this month that he joined us on the Tour de Yorkshire for the third stage from Richmond to Scarborough. I will miss him greatly. My thoughts are with his wife Frances as well as his family and friends at this incredibly sad time."

Mr Dodd holds an OBE, a CBE, and was the Queen's reprensetaive in North Yorkshire as the Lord-Lieutenant, as well as board positions on public and private organisations. He got the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Press Business Awards in 2016.

York Press: The Press Business Awards 2015. Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Barry Dodd CBE, right, with his award and Danny Longbottom, left, of BT Business who presented the award. Picture David Harrison. (47096180)

Barry Dodd (right), was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at The Press Business Awards in 2016.

Laura Knowlson, Business Editor of The Press, said the death of Mr Dodd would be "felt deeply across the region, especially in the business community".

She said: "A genuine gentleman, Barry always had time for everyone, no matter where they were in their business journey; he would often be offering advice to a start ups one day before championing our region in international markets the next.

"I am extremely saddened by the loss of this kind character and inspirational entrepreneur, who cared about business far beyond making profits, and made a real impact on enterprise across North Yorkshire. My thoughts go to all those feeling his loss."

Described by peers as a serial entrepreneur and wealth creator, Mr Dodd works throughout North Yorkshire to support business, promoting the region on a national and international level, as well as attracting, managing and distributing almost £240 million of Government and European funding through his position as chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

Mr Dodd was the first person elected to the role of LEP chairman, appointed to run the business-led partnership with the public sector, working to help businesses in the region improve and grow.

In a statement, David A Kerfoot MBE, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding LEP, said Mr Dodd had been a close friend with whom he had known for 20 years, and worked closely with for the last six.

Mr Kerfoot said: "He was an inspirational leader who was driven by a personal philosophy of going above and beyond the duties of public office to give something back to his region.

"The success of our LEP which he often said 'punched above its weight' was due to his commitment and leadership skills in making it an outstanding example of public-private partnership.

"His legacy in LEP terms will be his use of soft power to bring people together to drive growth and prosperity for all our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with Frances and the family at this very difficult time."

Mr Dodd was vice president of the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association in Yorkshire & The Humber and The North East.

Jason Wright, chief executive of the RFCA, said: "We are very sorry to hear about the sad death of Barry Dodd.

"He was a great champion of reserves and cadets and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this difficult time."

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu took to social media to praise Mr Dodd's work and pay tribute to him.

York Press: The Very Rev Vivienne Faull

The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, Dean of York

The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, Dean of York, also paid tribute to Mr Dodd.

She said: "This is a very sad day. Barry’s passing will of course be most acutely felt by his wife and family and friends.

"He was greatly admired and he will be missed by a much wider community of people across North Yorkshire and beyond. He was a dear colleague and adviser and a great friend and supporter of York Minster.  His loss is profound and will be deeply felt by a great many people."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service also paid tribute to Mr Dodd on social media.

Mr Dodd began his working life as a graduate trainee with ICI and spent five years within ICI management working in London, New York and Teesside. He left when the urge to work for himself got the better of him.

He founded his first company, GSM Graphic Arts Ltd as a two person start up in Thirsk. Through organic growth and 15 acquisitions within the last 15 years GSM has grown to become the largest manufacturer of industrial graphic products in Europe. In the UK, GSM Group run 4 manufacturing plants and a software house.

Mr Dodd was a patron of the Harrogate Town Community Foundation, which helps young people in the Harrogate area access training programmes and work-based qualifications.

Gary Plant, chairman of the foundation, said: "All we can say is we're absolutely devastated by the news, as is everybody else. He's a big loss to a lot of people, especially his family.

"He had only recently become patron of the foundation, so hadn't really started in earnest, but we were looking forward tremendously to having him involved. It's devastating news."

In 2005 Mr Dodd decided to devote one day per week to unpaid public service. 

He received his OBE in 2006 and in recognition of his work, he was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to the Yorkshire Economy and voluntary service to the community.

Also in 2014 Mr Dodd was made Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, the Queen’s official representative for the district following the retirement of Lord Crathorne.