Malmesbury firefighter Steve Mills was killed in a tragic accident while he was working at Cotswold Airport.

Mr Mills, 45, worked as a fire services manager at the airfield, in Kemble, Gloucestershire, for 10 years and was also a retained fire fighter at Malmesbury Fire Station.

He was killed on Friday at around 12.45pm, when a high-pressure gas cylinder is believed to have become decompressed, hitting Mr Mills.

Wiltshire Police were alerted to the incident and were investigating the death but it has now been passed on to the Health and Safety Executive.

A HSE spokesman said it has launched an investigation where it will look at such aspects as the maintenance of the equipment at the airport.

Mr Mills’s colleagues at the fire station were too distraught to comment but chief fire officer Simon Routh-Jones paid tribute to him.

He said: “On behalf of everyone at Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of firefighter Steve Mills, who died so tragically on Friday.

“Steve had been a retained firefighter at Malmesbury for more than ten years, and was a dedicated and popular member of the team there.

“Steve brought a great deal to the service during his time with us, thanks to his full-time employment at Cotswold Airport and his previous work elsewhere in the aviation fire service.

“We were able to draw on his knowledge, contacts and expertise, which in turn strengthened our ability to serve our local communities, and we recognise and are grateful for the contribution he made.

“Steve will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. All of the crew at Malmesbury are devastated by the loss of a friend and colleague, and the service is giving them as much support as possible at this difficult time.”

Staff at the airport refused to comment on the incident, saying it was a matter for the HSE but did pay tribute to their fire chief, colleague and much-loved friend.

A spokesman said: “We also wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones at what is clearly a difficult and emotional time.

“His untimely death is a tragedy to us all and the sense of loss felt by everyone at Cotswold Airport is immense.

“Steve was a joy to work and socialise with and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”