Prince Charles leads tributes to polo chief killed in helicopter crash

The Prince of Wales today led tributes to the head of his polo club who was killed in a helicopter crash in Northern Ireland.

Mr Stisted, 47, died when the helicopter came down in a remote area of the Mountains of Mourne in County Down at about 4pm on Saturday, also killing fellow passenger Ian Wooldridge and the unnamed pilot.

They were returning to England after a hunting trip.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry are all shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy.

"Their Royal Highnesses' thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed at this dreadful time."

Mr Stisted, a married father of two, had worked at the club, based at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park, since 1989. His widow, Melissa, flew back to the couple's Fulham home from Dubai last night. She was said to be too distressed to comment. Mr Stisted had been due to join her in Dubai to stage an international polo tournament.

He was educated at Fettes and Westminster University before attending Sandhurst, and was an officer in the Scots Guards. He joined the polo club as an events manager, progressed to chief executive and was one of the sport's most influential figures.

He was responsible for transferring the club from military to civilian control and oversaw the annual Cartier International tournament, which attracts 30,000 spectators. The Queen is the club's patron.

The privately chartered helicopter had set out from County Fermanagh. Businessman Mr Wooldridge, 51, lived with his family on a 230-acre estate in Surrey. With his brother, Graham, he ran the Wooldridge Group, specialising in demolition and construction.

Julie Fereday, Mr Wooldridge's former partner and mother of his son Charlie, 21, was too upset to comment.

Air accident investigators are trying to establish why the crash occurred.