75,000 watch in horror as stuntman plunges to his death at air show

A huge crowd watched in horror as a stuntman fell to his death at an air show in the US.

Wing-walker Todd Green was attempting a mid-air transfer from a biplane to a helicopter when he plunged 200 feet to the ground.

He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries last night.

The accident happened in front of 75,000 people yesterday at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, in Harrison Township, near Detroit.

Green - son of aerial stuntman Eddie "The Grip" Green - was trying to stand on the wing of a Stearman biplane and grab onto the skid of a helicopter flying above. He had performed the feat successfully on Saturday after five attempts.

But the wind was stronger yesterday. Witnesses told how he tried twice to clutch the skid then fell on his third go. Spectator Jo Wheaton said: "It was clear he couldn't get the helicopter. At that point, the crowd was quiet because the air felt wrong. We just wanted him to stop."

Jeremy Mitchell, 35, said: "I thought it was part of the stunt. It wasn't until the ambulance came that it sank in." Green was married with a son and stepson. Kyle Franklin, a friend and fellow stuntman, called him "one of the best in the business". The accident is under investigation.