Updated: 17:57 17 January 2013 - more comments from Chris Barnes

The partner of the pilot killed in a London helicopter crash has paid tribute to a "remarkable man".

Pete Barnes died on Wednesday after his helicopter spun out of control and crash-landed after clipping a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential towers.

Matthew Wood, who was on his way to work was also killed in the incident, which occurred during rush hour above Wandsworth Road, in Vauxhall.

pete barnes

Captains Pete Barnes and Philip Louis Amadeus of Rotormotion

Speaking to The Standad, Mr Barnes's partner Rebecca Dixon described the father of her two children as "a remarkable man".

She said: "Obviously he would have been frantic and the lives of others would have been at the forefront of his mind.

"It sums up the man. I find it very comforting and so do the children."

The 50-year-old was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK.

pete barnes

Pete Barnes was one of the UK's best pilots

Mr Barnes's brother Chris told the Daily Record it would have been his sibling's "instinct" to do whatever he could to minimalise casualties.

He said: "It's a matter of instinct, it's what pilots do. He had 25 years and 10,500 hours experience. He was very good at what he did.

"Our condolences go out to the family of the other man who was killed, that's the last thing that my brother would have wanted to happen."

Mr Barnes also described his brother, who also flew as an air ambulance pilot, as a "good guy", the Press Association reported.

He said: "He was outgoing, very personable. A good-looking guy with an irrepressible smile.

"When he walked into a room you knew he was there, he lit up a room. He was a good guy."

Mr Barnes worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion, which counts David Cameron, the Dalai Lama and Simon Cowell among its regular passengers.

The experienced aviator had flown helicopters for over 20 years and had more than 9,000 hours experience in the air, according to the company.

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  • Pete Barnes, the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked fo

    Pete Barnes, the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Debris (R) is pictured beside a fire fighting vehicle at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Debris and a burntout car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Thames River police patrol after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. Two people died and nine casualties have been confirmed with one in a critical condition. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Members of the emergency services prepare a stretcher as they attend to the scene of a helicopter crash in London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    The scene after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • BRITAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT

    Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    The scene after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Police close off the junction of Parry Street and Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in heavy freezing mist in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • (Credit: Twitter/craiglet)

  • (Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A general view of the scene shortly after a helicopter crashed in the Vauxhall area of central London, after hitting a crane on top of a tower block by the River Thames, according to eye witness reports, Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo / Toby Scott, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES

  • (Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

  • (Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

  • LondonFire London Fire Brigade 12m Pic from the scene of the #helicopter crash in #vauxhall. We were called at 8am and we put the fire out within 20mins.

    LondonFire London Fire Brigade 12m Pic from the scene of the #helicopter crash in #vauxhall. We were called at 8am and we put the fire out within 20mins.

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • (Credit: Twitter/sevitz)

  • (Credit: Twitter/Louisp55)

  • (Credit: Twitter/JakeyyL)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • (Credit: Twitter/ColinDKavanagh)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • At the scene of the crash on Corner of miles st and Wandsworth road #vauxhall #helicoptercrash

    Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot At the scene of the crash on Corner of miles st and Wandsworth road #vauxhall #helicoptercrash pic.twitter.com/6d1nCCJe

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

    Helicopter Crashes in Central London Credit Victor Jimenez

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A group of firefighters examine the scene from an extendable ladder high above Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A section of the Crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A section of the Crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Emergency services at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A section of the crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Police close off the junction of Parry Street and Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in heavy freezing mist in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Fog surrounds a damaged crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower after a helicopter reportedly collided with it, in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Emergency services at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Police close off the Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    Police close off the Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A small part of the emergency services on the scene at Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

  • Helicopter Crashes in Vauxhall, South London

    LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: A police officer stands outside a residential bliock near to the scene where a helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. Two people died and nine casualties have been confirmed with one in a critical condition. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

  • Helicopter crash in London

    A section of the crane (top left) lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.