AIR crash author Paul Lomax has seen his plans to publish a book on the Winter Hill disaster of 1958 take off after speaking to the last remaining passenger from the doomed Manx flight.

Earlier this month Paul, 25, appealed to BEN readers for help with his research into one of the North-west's worst air disaster and says the response has been fantastic.

Deane resident Paul has been interested in the tragedy since childhood and decided to put his knowledge to best use by producing a definitive volume on the crash, which claimed the lives of 35 people.

The 1958 crash saw the doomed Bristol 170 Freighter take off from Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man heading for Manchester Airport.

But the plane careered into Winter Hill following a navigational error, somersaulted and broke into three pieces.

Paul was hoping to speak to some of the crash survivors and says that, thanks to the BEN, his dream has come true.

Earlier this week he made contact with Manxman Fred Kinnish, the last civilian survivor and a former mayor of the Isle of Man.

"He was incredible supportive of the project and said he would help me in any way he could," said Paul. "He has very vivid recollections of the crash and was willing to speak openly with me about them."

Now Paul hopes to travel to the Isle of Man to speak with Mr Kinnish face-to-face.

He says between 15 and 20 other eye witnesses, such as police officers and ambulancemen, have since come forward with information.

"There are lots of lines of inquiry that I need to follow up," said Paul. "One person has even agreed to put me in touch with the pilot, Michael Cairnes, and air hostess Jennifer Cortiss."

Paul says the great response has moved his publishing plans forward and he hopes the finished product will be ready in 18 months.

He has now chosen a title for the volume: Survivors Few Memories Many.

"There is plenty of information to go at and no-one has ever written a book solely about the crash," said Paul.

"People have been only too happy to help but it's a case of the more you find out the more you want to know, so if anyone else out there has information I would love to hear from them."

You can contact Paul on 01204 528458.