The village of Emmerdale faced more devastation tonight as the ITV soap’s dramatic helicopter crash claimed another victim.

Val Pollard, played by Charlie Hardwick, became the second casualty of the crash, following the demise in last night’s episode of Ruby Haswell (Alicia Eyo).

Val and her sister Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen) were left trapped in the mirror maze during the wedding celebrations of Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) and Pete Barton (Anthony Quinlan), after an explosion caused the newlyweds’ helicopter to plough into the village hall.

Val and Diane in the mirror maze
Val and Diane in the mirror maze (ITV)

In scenes aired in tonight’s episodes at 7pm and 8pm on ITV, Diane escaped the maze but Val was not so lucky.

Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher) and Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) looked on in shock as they realised Val had died.

Andy and Vanessa realise Val has died
Andy and Vanessa realise Val has died (ITV)

Charlie Hardwick has played Val since the character arrived on the show in 2004.

Minutes before the crash, Pete had found out that his new wife had been cheating on him with his brother Ross Barton (Michael Parr).

Debbie was left fighting for her life after the accident, but her new husband was furious to see Ross at the hospital and beat him to a pulp.

Pete in a fury with Ross
Pete in a fury with Ross (ITV)