In an unbelievable and miraculous escape, a pilot and passenger emerged without any significant injuries after surviving a severe crash of their light aircraft amid a busy road. The powered glider of the two “stalled and nose-dived” over the A419 at around 4:45 pm (local time) on Tuesday (August 27) in Gloucestershire.
After the crash, two shocked occupants were seen sitting amid the wreckage as one of the wings of the vehicle was broken off from the main body of the aeroplane. Because of the crash, there were major disruptions on the road as it was closed by the police in both directions because of which long queues of the cars were seen at the accident site.
The emergency services reached the site to help the two people involved in the crash and the Great Western Air Ambulance's crew was called near the downed aircraft. Both the pilot and passenger did not suffer serious injuries. An onlooker said that it “looked like it stalled and nose-dived into the main road”.
The incident occurred on the main road which was close to Aston Down Airfield in Frampton Mansell between Cirencester and Stroud. Gloucestershire Constabulary's spokesperson, in a statement, said, “Motorists are advised that road closures are in place while emergency services are in attendance. There were two occupants on board who will be assessed by the ambulance service, and it is understood that no other vehicles were involved.”
The A419 near Stroud remains closed after a light aircraft crash yesterday afternoon (August 27). The aircraft landed on the A419 Stroud Road near Aston Down airfield in Frampton Mansell at around 4:45pm yesterday. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. There were two people on board the aircraft, who were taken to hospital by ambulance. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said the road remains closed this morning, while police await recovery of the aircraft.
The incident comes after another fatal crash in Worcestershire. A plane slammed into the ground after facing ‘difficulties’ during take-off. Emergency services scrambled to Defford Croft Farm airfield near Worcester at 10.45am yesterday after a small plane hit the ground, killing the pilot in a fireball. The plane had “difficulties” during take-off which caused it to descend “rapidly” before slamming into the ground. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the pilot was confirmed dead at the scene. Nobody else was hurt and the Air Accident Investigation Branch is now probing the crash. The local fire service said that it was called along with cops and ambulance crews to a “light aircraft well alight” at 10.35am. Firefighters from around Worcestershire and Herefordshire scrambled to the airfield along with an air ambulance. West Mercia Police said: “At 10.45am this morning we were called to Woodmancote, near Defford. There were reports that a small plane had experienced difficulties during take-off, causing it to descend rapidly to the ground. Emergency services attended and unfortunately the pilot was confirmed dead at the scene. Nobody else was injured during the incident. The Air Accident Investigation Branch will now carry out an investigation.” The local Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 10:35 to a light aircraft well alight at Woodmancote, Defford, Worcester. Crews from Pershore, Upton upon Seven, Malvern, Droitwich, Ledbury, Wyre Forest and Peterchurch Fire Stations plus the incident support vehicle from Droitwich were called.” A spokesperson added: “Ambulance and police were also in attendance.” West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called by the fire service to reports of a light aircraft crash landing in an airfield in Defford near Worcester at 10.38am today. A paramedic officer, an ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford responded to the scene. It quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the single occupant of the aircraft.” A spokesperson added: “They were sadly confirmed deceased on scene by ambulance staff.”
(With inputs from agencies)
