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A Spitfire plane has crashed into a field in Coningsby, Lincolnshire during an event to commemorate the Battle of Britain.
Police and emergency services rushed to the scene at just before 1.20pm on Saturday, after receiving reports that the Second World War aircraft had gone down.
It is believed to be a single occupant aircraft and nobody else is thought to have been involved, Lincolnshire Police said.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area with road closures in place in the areas of Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank.
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A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “Emergency services are in attendance following reports of an aircraft crashing in a field just before 1.20pm.
“It is believed to be a single occupant aircraft and nobody else is thought to have been involved.
“Road closures are in place in the areas of Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank.”
The aircraft was reportedly a Supermarine Spitfire that was used both before and after World War II.
It was designed by R. J. Mitchell, and was famed for its role during the Battle of Britain, when it played a crucial role in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks.
An RAF spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident in the vicinity of RAF Coningsby involving an RAF aircraft.
“We are working with the emergency services and supporting those involved. An update will be provided in due course.”
A pilot was killed last August when a replica Spitfire crashed in the Oxfordshire village of Enstone.
Six Supermarine Spitfires are currently operated by the RAF as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a unit that provides an aerial display group for state occasions and commemorative events.
More follows on this breaking news story
Source: independent.co.uk
