Aircraft from Birmingham Airport crashes in a field in Littleborough - latest update
A light aircraft that set off from Birmingham Airport has crashed in a field in Littleborough in Greater Manchester
Police, firefighters and an air ambulance were sent to a patch of farmland close to the M62 in Littleborough in Rochdale after reports of the crash.
It is believed there were two people travelling in the plane, and one is understood to have evacuated using a parachute.
According to the Flight Radar website, which monitors air traffic, the aircraft is a small Cirrus SR 20 which took off from Birmingham before losing altitude.
The exact location of the crash has not yet been confirmed, though local reports suggest it is near Hollingworth Lake and Blackstone Edge.
The air ambulance was called to the scene on Tunshill Lane, which is just off Kiln Lane and close to Tunshill Golf Club, and later landed at Salford Royal Hospital.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Emergency services are responding to reports of a light aircraft crash in the Littleborough area.
"We are currently in attendance to establish the full circumstances and assess any casualties.
"A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area as this work is carried out."
A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigations Branch said: "An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred today near Rochdale, Greater Manchester has been notified to the AAIB.
"An investigation has been launched and a multidisciplinary team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site."
A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: "We can confirm a private light aircraft left BHX, from the XLR Executive Jet Centre at around 10am today.
"We are supporting all our partners, and no further comment will be made until all facts are established by our third-party partners.”
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis, District Commander for GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We are working closely with emergency service colleagues and partner agencies to establish the full circumstances.
“There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered.
“We would ask people to please avoid the area while emergency services remain on scene, to ensure that a full investigation and review can be carried out.
“If anyone has any information, or witnessed the crash, we would urge you to get in touch with us.”
