Top horse racing trainer Sam Thomas and owner Dai Walters in horrific helicopter crash and rushed to hospital
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.
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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 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.
'HORRIFIC SCENE LIKE OUT OF A MOVIE'
"A piece of propeller came away. We had to scarper because there was lots of debris, it was just flying everywhere - it was like a movie."
A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed four fire engines rushed to the scene.
A narrow access vehicle and technical rescue unit were also on hand, 'mainly assisting with checking casualties', according to the .
The AAIB confirmed an investigation has been launched into the crash and that a 'team of inspectors are at the accident site'.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called shortly before 5.30pm last night, Tuesday 1 November, to reports of a helicopter crash in woodland near Llanelidan, Ruthin.
"We sent a paramedic in a rapid response car and three emergency ambulances to the scene, where crews were also supported by Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service colleagues and a duty operations manager.
"Two patients were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital."
A British Horseracing Authority statement read: "Our thoughts are with all of those who were on board and we wish everybody a swift return to full health."
Walters, a longtime supporter of racing and much-admired owner, and Thomas had a runner at Warwick on Tuesday afternoon.
But neither were believed to have been at the track to see Skytastic finish last of four.
Thomas, who is from Abergavenny in Wales, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a jockey and is starting to make waves in training.
He had a winner at Ascot just last Saturday when Our Power won £57,000 with victory in the London Gold Cup.
Racing fans were quick to pray for a speedy recovery for the pair, with one saying: "Terrible this, hope all involved recover OK."
Walters owns The Hollies Stables just outside Cardiff in south Wales, where Thomas is based.
ONE OF WALKES' RICHEST MEN
He made his fortune after launching his own plant machinery company in 1982, known today as Walters Group and based in Aberdare.
The company, which built Ffos Las racecourse in Carmarthenshire at a cost of £25m, is said to turn over more than £150m annually.
The Sunday Times reported in 2019 that Walters was worth as much as Sir Ringo Starr.
Although he could afford not to be, Walters is famously cautious with his vast reserves of cash.
Asked why he doesn't take on fellow multi-millionaires at the horse sales, he said: "You've worked hard all your life so why blow the money?"
Walters' most recent winner was Good Risk At All - trained by Thomas - who won at Carlisle last Sunday.
The Walters-owned and Thomas-trained Range was almost a poignant winner at Chepstow in the 4.25 on Wednesday but was collared in the final strides.
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