Pete Barnes, aged 50, had requested to divert and land at London’s Battersea Heliport due to bad weather conditions. His helicopter hit the crane at the top of The Tower St George Wharf near Vauxhall Bridge in Vauxhall at 8am.

The AgustaWestland AW109 twin-engine helicopter crashed to the ground and burst into flames only 20 yards from Vauxhall station, killing the pilot and one person on the ground.

Andy Williamson, chief executive of the air ambulance service said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Pete Barnes was killed in the helicopter accident in London.

“Pete had worked with us for many years and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and with all the families affected by this tragedy.”

Mr Barnes was using the route of the River Thames and was believed to have been heading from Redhill, Surrey, to Elstree, Hertfordshire, to collect a passenger.