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RAF Tornado jet overshoots runway RAF Tornado jet overshoots runway
(20 minutes later)
An RAF jet has crash landed at Newcastle Airport after apparently colliding with a bird. An RAF jet has crash-landed at Newcastle Airport after apparently colliding with a bird.
The Tornado, from RAF Marham in Norfolk, was diverted to the airport, where it landed at about 1700 BST and overshot the end of the runway.The Tornado, from RAF Marham in Norfolk, was diverted to the airport, where it landed at about 1700 BST and overshot the end of the runway.
An MoD spokesman said the two crew were not seriously injured and an inquiry into the crash would be held.An MoD spokesman said the two crew were not seriously injured and an inquiry into the crash would be held.
The airport's only runway is currently closed and flights are being diverted to Durham Tees Valley and Manchester.The airport's only runway is currently closed and flights are being diverted to Durham Tees Valley and Manchester.
Two people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries, according to Northumbria Police. Another RAF Tornado, flying close to the first aircraft, also suffered a birdstrike and requested permission to make an emergency landing at Durham Tees Valley airport.
The aircraft was not carrying any explosive material, said a force spokesman.
Ambulance crews are at the scene but that is a matter of course and the crew are being checked out as a precaution, but we think they are okay Newcastle Airport spokeswomanAmbulance crews are at the scene but that is a matter of course and the crew are being checked out as a precaution, but we think they are okay Newcastle Airport spokeswoman
But it went on to land safely at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
Two people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries following the Newcastle crash landing, according to Northumbria Police.
The aircraft was not carrying any explosive material, said a force spokesman.
One eyewitness, who had just arrived at the airport from Heathrow, described seeing "all hell break loose" as emergency vehicles raced to the scene.One eyewitness, who had just arrived at the airport from Heathrow, described seeing "all hell break loose" as emergency vehicles raced to the scene.
He said the jet came to rest on grass at the end of the runway and did not appear to be seriously damaged.He said the jet came to rest on grass at the end of the runway and did not appear to be seriously damaged.
An airport spokeswoman said it was unclear if the earlier birdstrike affected the plane's ability to stop.An airport spokeswoman said it was unclear if the earlier birdstrike affected the plane's ability to stop.
Radiation threat
She said: "At the moment it is in the grass at the end of the runway at the far end, away from the terminal, near Dinnington Road.She said: "At the moment it is in the grass at the end of the runway at the far end, away from the terminal, near Dinnington Road.
"Dinnington Road is shut because of the radiation threat from the jet's flare."Dinnington Road is shut because of the radiation threat from the jet's flare.
"The runway is closed and we are not taking any more flights until 6.30pm at the earliest.
"Ambulance crews are at the scene but that is a matter of course and the crew are being checked out as a precaution, but we think they are okay.""Ambulance crews are at the scene but that is a matter of course and the crew are being checked out as a precaution, but we think they are okay."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "A Tornado GR4 from 13 Squadron RAF Marham made an emergency landing at Newcastle Airport this afternoon.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "A Tornado GR4 from 13 Squadron RAF Marham made an emergency landing at Newcastle Airport this afternoon.
"Nobody was injured in the incident and the RAF will recover the aircraft as soon as possible.
"We regret the inconvenience caused by the closure of Newcastle Airport's runway. An inquiry will be held.""We regret the inconvenience caused by the closure of Newcastle Airport's runway. An inquiry will be held."
The crew are likely to have suffered no more than cuts and bruises, he added.