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Pilot ejects from Harrier crash | Pilot ejects from Harrier crash |
(10 minutes later) | |
A pilot has managed to eject to safety as an RAF jet crashed near an airbase in Rutland. | |
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said a Harrier jet crashed north-east of RAF Cottesmore at about 1350 BST. | A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said a Harrier jet crashed north-east of RAF Cottesmore at about 1350 BST. |
She said the pilot ejected and came down using a parachute and was "alive and well". He is receiving medical treatment. | She said the pilot ejected and came down using a parachute and was "alive and well". He is receiving medical treatment. |
No civilian casualties have been reported. A safety cordon has been put in place around the crash site. | No civilian casualties have been reported. A safety cordon has been put in place around the crash site. |
The pilot was taken to hospital by air ambulance. | |
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the crash near the village of Ashwell and 10 appliances were deployed. | |
The RAF confirmed an internal investigation into the incident would be carried out. | |
Craig Shepherd, 25, who was carrying out building work about half a mile from the crash site, said he saw the plane come down. | |
"They [Harriers] had been flying over about seven or eight times during the day," he said. | |
"We were working and heard a bang, looked up and saw the guy get out of the plane with a parachute and then just watched the plane come down to the ground and crash into a field. | |
"It looked like the rear of the plane was on fire. We went over to the crash site and with about five minutes the fire engines arrived." | |
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