Cornwall Royal Navy plane crash - latest as hawk jet goes down in Helston

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Police are warning people to stay away from a field near Helston after a Royal Navy jet crashed.

The aircraft - a Hawk T1 jet - came down in a farmer's field in St Martin on Thursday 25 March.

The aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron crashed during a flight from RNAS Culdrose.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed two pilots on board managed to eject safely. It added that it is still gathering information on what happened.

Ejection seat manufacturer Martin-Baker says it is the first Royal Navy ejection in 18 years with the last being in 2003.



Plane fragments found - in pictures:

Credit: Anthony Hosking
Credit: Anthony Hosking
A fragment of the aircraft. Credit: Anthony Hosking

"Two pilots are being checked by medics after ejecting from a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron during a flight from RNAS Culdrose," a MoD tweet stated."An investigation will begin in due course.

"We won't be providing further detail at this time."

Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were at the scene of the incident in Helston.

"Emergency services are currently in the St Martins area of Helston following reports of a plane crash," a spokesman said.

"Public are asked to avoid the area whilst first responders attend the scene."

Emergency services at the scene of the crash. Credit: ITV West Country
The Ministry of Defence said that it is still gathering information on what happened. Credit: ITV West Country
A range of emergency services have been at the scene for most of the day. Credit: Cornwall Live/BPM Media

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