Glastonbury's bad weather almost claimed one of its star performers on the weekend, with Dame Shirley Bassey surviving an incident in which her helicopter shaved the tips of trees before making an emergency landing in a Surrey school field.
According to eyewitness reports, the helicopter which was taking her away from the festival site developed a mechanical fault, forcing the pilot to take emergency measures.The pilot said later, "I was losing power and the mist was so thick I couldn't see where I was going. We have had an almighty escape."
A visibly distressed Dame Shirley emerged from the craft, regained her composure and asked the locals, "We are so sorry to have bothered you. May I please use someone's toilet? And a cup of tea would go down a treat."
Eyewitness Rosella Tew told 'The Mirror' newspaper, "My husband Thomas and I watched in horror as the helicopter touched the tops of the trees in our garden. It was clear the pilot struggling to control the machine. Thankfully it made a very bumpy landing.
"You could tell Dame Shirley had been through a terrible ordeal but she maintained her dignity."
The incident came not long after Dame Shirley's stellar set at the festival, which included her hits 'Goldfinger', 'Big Spender' and 'Get The Party Started'.
