The remains of a RAF Spitfire pilot who was killed after another plane collided with his aircraft during a training exercise were found in Cornwall 75 YEARS after his death, an inquest heard.

Squadron Leader Daniel Cremin was killed in 1942 when he flew the iconic aircraft during a night-time low flying training operation.

Both planes were completely destroyed by the crash, but the remains of Daniel, 25, were only recently discovered by a metal detectorist on a farm near St Erth.

An inquest into the death held today in Truro recorded his death as a "tragic accident".

The coroner was told how Daniel was a decorated pilot and was flying over fields when he was struck by another spitfire being piloted by William Norman.

They both died in the collision and Daniel's plane crashed to the ground at Fryther Farm, St Erth, Cornwall.

DS Nigel Green, of Devon and Cornwall's Major Crime Investigation Team, told the inquest the remains were only found last year.

He said: "The police were called by a local chap, a metal detectorist.

"He was excavating a farm and had dug down 4ft and discovered what he believed to be human remains. A neck bone."

The find was sent off for examination and it was confirmed the bones were human - part of a femur - and the site was excavated further.

More bones were unearthed, including a pelvis, and efforts were made to identify the remains.

DS Green added: "We sought expert advice, they were unable to say which plane it was so we were looking for ID marks during the dig.

"It was one of two persons, both of which were involved in the air crash. Both planes were severely damaged and burst into flames on landing."

DS Green cited an inquiry into the collision which concluded that William Norman was at fault, and had misjudged the distance between himself and Daniel Cremin.

After collision both planes were destroyed, and while Norman's plane nosedived to the ground, Daniel's lost a wing and spiralled to earth.

Examination of the impact zone led police to believe the crash site was that of Daniel Cremin's plane.

ID samples were then obtained from Daniel's son, Mark Cremin, who lives in East Sussex, which confirmed the identity of the remains.

Coroner Matthew Boyling recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "Daniel Cremin died as the result of a mid-air collision with another Spitfire and the death occurred on Fryther Farm.

"The inquiry makes it clear that the cause of death is an accident and the inquest is going to record that."

Detective Green confirmed that Daniel Cremin's remains have been returned to his family, and interred during a ceremony.

No members of his family attended the inquest, but speaking before the hearing, son Mark said he was informed last year that bones had been found by a metal detectorist.

He was just two years old at the time of his father's death.

He said: "It's a bit of mystery why they are having an inquest now. His remains, or so my mother thought, were buried in 1942.

"Quite clearly, there was nothing in the coffin except sand bags.

"I took his bones and interred them at his grave, where he has a Commonwealth War Grave headstone, at the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Wardour in Wiltshire."

Records reveal that Squadron Leader Cremin, who was born in Sydney, joined the Royal Australian Air Force before transferring to the RAF.

He served with 127 Squadron in the Middle East and then with 252 Squadron. By 1942 he been assigned to command 66 Squadron, which, at the time, was based at Portreath.

The obituary for Squadron Leader Cremin in The Times on June 6, 1942, reads: "Acting Squadron Leader Daniel Edward Cremin, D.F.C., killed on active service, was an Australian, born at Sydney in 1917 and educated at Sydney High School.

"He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1936, became an air cadet the following year, and was commissioned in the RAF as a pilot officer on February 10, 1938.

"After training he qualified as a flying instructor, and was employed as such in the Middle East Command from November, 1938. He was promoted flight lieutenant in January, 1940.

"In October, 1941 he was awarded the D.F.C. for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations."

His name is also listed on the Australian national war memorial in the capitol Canberra.