The lucky pilot made a miraculous escape from the scene after a crash landing into parked cars in the grounds of Wiston House on Wednesday (July 16).

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The brush with death came after his stricken glider plunged from the sky, ploughed into trees and smashed into the car park of the stunning 16th century estate near Steyning just after 1pm.

A gardener working in the grounds of the prestigious A283 wedding venue described the dramatic scene.

Luke Richardson, 19, said it was incredible nobody had been hurt when the glider smashed into two trees just yards from the stately home, tearing off branches which smashed through the windscreens of a dark blue Mercedes A Class and a white Vauxhall Corsa.

"The pilot just got out and walked away," he said.

"He was fine!

"Obviously he was a little bit shaken because he had just crashed his glider but he didn't seem injured, which is amazing.

"It was so lucky there was nobody in the car park."

Wiston House receptionist Marion Nash called the emergency services and a helicopter rushed to the scene.

But the pilot - a 56-year-old man from Eastbourne - didn't need hospital treatment.

"When somebody comes running in to say they need an ambulance because a glider has crashed into the car park it is not quite the normal thing people come in to speak to you about," she said.

Mr Richardson, of Hormare Estate, Storrington, said he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the wreckage.

"The glider came over really low and smashed onto the tarmac in the car park, he said.

"I heard a massive bang."

Wiston House manager Tim Willows said he was thankful the accident happened in the car park.

"The most important thing was nobody was hurt and the glider pilot was absolutely fine," he said.

"There was nobody in the car park at the time.

"There was some damage to a few vehicles but apart from that nobody was hurt and thankfully everything was cleared up very quickly.

He added: "It is just one of those things that make it a more interesting lunch time."