This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7457288.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Pilot ejects as Harrier crashes | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A pilot managed to eject to safety as an RAF jet crashed in a field near a village in Rutland. | A pilot managed to eject to safety as an RAF jet crashed in a field near a village in Rutland. |
| A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said the Harrier crashed north-east of RAF Cottesmore at about 1350 BST. | A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said the Harrier 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 conscious". He is receiving treatment in hospital. | She said the pilot ejected and came down using a parachute and was "alive and conscious". He is receiving treatment in hospital. |
| Residents said the crash happened about 200yds (180m) from Ashwell. No civilian casualties were reported. | Residents said the crash happened about 200yds (180m) from Ashwell. No civilian casualties were reported. |
| A safety cordon has been put in place around the crash site. | A safety cordon has been put in place around the crash site. |
| The pilot was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre by air ambulance. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. | The pilot was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre by air ambulance. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. |
| Phil Morris, spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We attended the incident along with the air ambulance. There was one casualty and that was the pilot. | Phil Morris, spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We attended the incident along with the air ambulance. There was one casualty and that was the pilot. |
| "He was fully conscious and alert, but had suspected spinal injuries which would be consistent with being ejected from a plane. | "He was fully conscious and alert, but had suspected spinal injuries which would be consistent with being ejected from a plane. |
| "That is not to say that he definitely had spinal injuries. That's what the hospital will be looking into." | "That is not to say that he definitely had spinal injuries. That's what the hospital will be looking into." |
| Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the crash near Ashwell and 10 appliances were deployed. | Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the crash near Ashwell and 10 appliances were deployed. |
| The aircraft was returning from a training exercise in Norfolk ahead of a four-month deployment in Afghanistan. | |
| All flying has been suspended at the airbase while investigations are carried out. | |
| Deputy Force Commander Ade Orchard, who was flying at the time of the incident, said: "His wing man who was airborne with him in another aircraft would have been helping him out all the way along. | |
| "Shortly afterwards I witnessed a flash from the vicinity of the lead aircraft, approximately 10 seconds after that a large fireball." | |
| 'Lucky escape' | 'Lucky escape' |
| Vic Harrison, 73, who saw the aircraft come down, said: "I thought he didn't stand a chance, but I looked up and saw the parachute of the pilot. | Vic Harrison, 73, who saw the aircraft come down, said: "I thought he didn't stand a chance, but I looked up and saw the parachute of the pilot. |
| "I really thought he had hit the houses. It was a narrow miss - it must have been just 400 yards from our house. | "I really thought he had hit the houses. It was a narrow miss - it must have been just 400 yards from our house. |
| "It has been an exceptionally lucky escape." | "It has been an exceptionally lucky escape." |
| Craig Shepherd, 25, who was carrying out building work about half a mile (800m) from the crash site, said: "They [Harriers] had been flying over about seven or eight times during the day," he said. | Craig Shepherd, 25, who was carrying out building work about half a mile (800m) from the crash site, said: "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. | "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 within about five minutes the fire engines arrived." | "It looked like the rear of the plane was on fire. We went over to the crash site and within about five minutes the fire engines arrived." |
| An MOD spokesman said the pilot's next of kin had been informed. | An MOD spokesman said the pilot's next of kin had been informed. |
| Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share with the BBC? If so please use the form below. | Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share with the BBC? If so please use the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |