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Version 7 Version 8
Two die in light aircraft crash Two die in light aircraft crash
(about 1 hour later)
A man and a woman have been killed in a light aircraft crash in Hampshire.A man and a woman have been killed in a light aircraft crash in Hampshire.
They were onboard a private Piper fixed wing single engine aircraft on its way from Hertfordshire to Jersey.They were onboard a private Piper fixed wing single engine aircraft on its way from Hertfordshire to Jersey.
It crashed into a wooded hillside between Steep and Froxfield, near Petersfield, at about 1230 BST and caught fire.It crashed into a wooded hillside between Steep and Froxfield, near Petersfield, at about 1230 BST and caught fire.
A member of the public who saw the crash alerted the emergency services. Police said both people on the plane were confirmed dead at the scene.A member of the public who saw the crash alerted the emergency services. Police said both people on the plane were confirmed dead at the scene.
Two coastguard helicopters and a search team were called in to try to locate any survivors but emergency services later said it was thought the couple in the plane would have died on impact.Two coastguard helicopters and a search team were called in to try to locate any survivors but emergency services later said it was thought the couple in the plane would have died on impact.
It was raining quite hard but then I think it's quite dense woodland so I suppose it has hit the trees Simon Bridger, local residentIt was raining quite hard but then I think it's quite dense woodland so I suppose it has hit the trees Simon Bridger, local resident
They were thought to be heading to Jersey for the Easter weekend.They were thought to be heading to Jersey for the Easter weekend.
A spokesman for the North London Flying School, based at Panshanger Airfield in Cole Green near Hertford, said the dead man was a member of the school and the aircraft in the crash was based at the airfield.A spokesman for the North London Flying School, based at Panshanger Airfield in Cole Green near Hertford, said the dead man was a member of the school and the aircraft in the crash was based at the airfield.
He said: "He was an amazing guy. I'm shocked and saddened that he is no longer with us."He said: "He was an amazing guy. I'm shocked and saddened that he is no longer with us."
The four-seater, single-engine aircraft came down in trees on a steep hill known locally as The Hangers.The four-seater, single-engine aircraft came down in trees on a steep hill known locally as The Hangers.
Superintendent John Happel of Hampshire Police explains what is known about the crash
Simon Bridger, owner of Ashford Farm, near the scene of the crash, said a Polish stockman working at his farm had heard shouting and then a bang like a gunshot as the plane hit the ground.Simon Bridger, owner of Ashford Farm, near the scene of the crash, said a Polish stockman working at his farm had heard shouting and then a bang like a gunshot as the plane hit the ground.
'Bad visibility''Bad visibility'
Mr Bridger said: "There was no smoke or anything. It was raining quite hard but then I think it's quite dense woodland so I suppose it has hit the trees.Mr Bridger said: "There was no smoke or anything. It was raining quite hard but then I think it's quite dense woodland so I suppose it has hit the trees.
"I think it has come over The Hangers and driven straight into The Hanger not knowing it was there, because it was raining."I think it has come over The Hangers and driven straight into The Hanger not knowing it was there, because it was raining.
"It's a bit of a shock, we are really out in the countryside here."It's a bit of a shock, we are really out in the countryside here.
"You very rarely see a police car going through the lanes but all of a sudden you have police, helicopters and fire trucks.""You very rarely see a police car going through the lanes but all of a sudden you have police, helicopters and fire trucks."
A Solent Coastguard watch officer said flying conditions were very difficult.A Solent Coastguard watch officer said flying conditions were very difficult.
"The coastguard helicopter had to fly very low in bad visibility, with rain and low cloud, to locate the aircraft," he said."The coastguard helicopter had to fly very low in bad visibility, with rain and low cloud, to locate the aircraft," he said.
Hampshire Police said firefighters had to use ropes to stop the wreckage sliding down the slope of the hill.Hampshire Police said firefighters had to use ropes to stop the wreckage sliding down the slope of the hill.
Ambulance crews were stood down before they arrived after being informed by police that the people in the plane had died.Ambulance crews were stood down before they arrived after being informed by police that the people in the plane had died.
The scene was cordoned off while the wreckage was inspected and the cause of the crash was investigated.The scene was cordoned off while the wreckage was inspected and the cause of the crash was investigated.
About 24 firefighters battled to put out the flames on the aircraft, a Hampshire Fire Service spokesman said.About 24 firefighters battled to put out the flames on the aircraft, a Hampshire Fire Service spokesman said.
A search and rescue team was also sent to the scene with heavy machinery to lift the wreckage and help investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).A search and rescue team was also sent to the scene with heavy machinery to lift the wreckage and help investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
He said: "They are working in incredibly difficult conditions, it's heavily wooded.He said: "They are working in incredibly difficult conditions, it's heavily wooded.
"There was a fire when the three crews arrived. The fire is now out but our firefighters are standing by to make sure there are no flare-ups and the site is safe.""There was a fire when the three crews arrived. The fire is now out but our firefighters are standing by to make sure there are no flare-ups and the site is safe."