Dr. Paul Norman worked for UK government, was expert on counter-WMD

A scientist working on weapons of mass destruction at a top-secret government laboratory in the United Kingdom has died in a plane crash. Dr. Paul Norman, chief scientist for chemical and biological weapons research at Porton Down, near Salisbury (UK), died after his Cessna 206 crashed during a parachuting flight.

Dr. Norman was described by colleagues as one of the world's leading experts on countering WMD attacks as well as WMD terrorism, according to a story published in This Is London. Surviving Dr. Norman are his spouse, and two children; a 14-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter. 

Three of five parachutists on the aircraft were also killed. Witnesses report that the aircraft's engine appeared to fail, and Dr. Norman was unable to keep the aircraft in flight, subsequently crashing in a field some miles from Dunkeswell airport.

The Porton Down facility is located on 7,000 acres, and has been the center of the UK governments chemical weapons research since 1916.

"He was an international figure in his field, travelling the world giving lectures and workshops on defending against the scourge of WMD," said Dr Steve Eley, a colleague of Dr. Norman.

The three parachuters who perished in the crash were Richard Smith, 42, and his daughter Claire, 17, from Winkleigh, and Major Mike Wills, 44, from Cove, near Tiverton. Two other passengers - Daniel Greening, 16, a student, and an unidentified 23-year-old man, remain in critical condition with multiple injuries at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

FMI: www.dft.gov.uk/aaib