EMILIANO Sala died from head injuries and had to be identified by his fingerprints when his plane crashed into the sea, an inquest heard.

The £15million Cardiff City footballer has been pulled from the wreckage after the plane came down near Alderney on January 21.

An inquest opened and adjourned into his death today in Dorset heard how a post-mortem confirmed Sala died from "head and trunk" injuries.

The hearing was told he had to be identified using his fingerprints after investigators discovered his body on the seabed of the English Channel on February 4.

The inquest was adjourned until November 6 for a pre-inquest review.

A full report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch will not be published for six to 12 months, but an interim report is due within a fortnight.

Ian Parry, a senior coroner's officer for Dorset, said: "Mr Sala was identified on the 7th February by means of fingerprint evidence analyses by fingerprint expert Christopher Bradbury.

"A post mortem was carried out after the body was taken to Holly Tree Lodge mortuary.

"Home office pathologist Mr Purdue gave the cause of death as 1a head and trunk injuries."

THE SEARCH CONTINUES
Brit pilot David Ibbotson's body has not yet been discovered with a GoFundMe page launched to help fund a private search.

His family were given a huge boost by Kylian Mbappe, who donated £27,000 while Gary Lineker handed over £1,000.

An official search was called off on January 24 but more than £300,000 was raised by footie stars including Lionel Messi to help fund a private search.

HOW THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDED
The plane was carrying Cardiff City’s £15million record signing Sala, 28, to the Welsh capital from former club Nantes, in Western France, when it vanished on January 21.

Within a few hours search vessel FBV Morven picked up a signal and a remote-controlled submarine fitted with a camera was sent down to formally identify the wreckage.

The AAIB said on January 30 two seat cushions believed to be from the plane were found off Normandy.

A second hunt for Sala's missing plane was launched after his family and footie stars, including Lionel Messi, raised £325K to launch a private search.

The wreckage was discovered by the AAIB on February 3 and robots subs were used to pull the body out of the 220ft-deep water "in as dignified a way as possible".

A statement from the Sala family said: "It is with infinite sadness that we confirm the identity of Emiliano's body.

"We would like to thank you for all your signs of affection and support in what is the most painful time of our lives.

"Seeing the whole world mobilised to support us in our research has been an infinitely precious help. Thanks to you, we are now able to mourn our son, our brother."

What a sad death, R.I.P Emiliano.

Originally Posted by Immortal7

What a sad death, R.I.P Emiliano.

RIP to the pilot too who’s body has not been found.