AN RAF pilot who had to eject from his plane and parachute to the ground has been discharged from hospital.

Flt Lt Mike Rutland, 33, of, York, was performing aerobatics above RAF Linton-on-Ouse when he encountered a problem and had to fling himself clear using his ejector seat, last Thursday.

He suffered back injuries and a broken wrist in the drama, but was not seriously hurt. A spokesman for the RAF said Flt Lt Rutland, who flew combat missions in the last Gulf War, was “a bit shaken, but in good spirits”. He is now spending time with his family.

The RAF’s crash investigation board is not expected to report on the cause of the incident for some considerable time.