Two individuals are critically injured, with one fighting for his life in hospital, following a horrific plane crash at a UK airfield. It has emerged that the plane suffered a catastrophic structural failure on takeoff.
An eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News that the plane “snapped in two pieces” and crashed shortly after take-off. The scene at Barton Aerodrome on the evening of April 29 was swarming with emergency services, crime scene investigators, and flashing blue lights as efforts to comprehend the incident commenced.
Police, paramedics, and firefighters hurried to the airport in Eccles, Salford around 5.30pm. Two men were swiftly transported to Salford Royal Hospital.
The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted: “The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end of the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off after the plane had already taken off and was about two or three metres in the air.
She went on to say: “It continued to coast at a really low altitude before the wing struck the ground on one side. It then rolled over completely upside down and the plane snapped into two pieces.
“They then sounded an alarm and over the course of the next five to 10 minutes around 20 or so emergency vehicles arrived including police fire and ambulance.”
Initially, the men’s injuries were categorised as ‘non-life-threatening’, but Greater Manchester Police have since painted a more distressing picture.
“Two men have been taken to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries and another with potentially life-changing injuries,” the force stated just before 7pm.
A scene has been established at Barton Aerodrome as emergency services conduct their investigation, and people are advised to steer clear of the area.
Barton Aerodrome confirmed that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been notified. An airport spokesperson stated: “Today at 5.07pm an aircraft accident occurred within the Barton Aerodrome boundary, the AAIB have been informed and are carrying out an investigation.
“Our onsite rescue and firefighting service attended the incident and have worked alongside external emergency services.”
As the light faded on the aerodrome field, the wreckage of the aircraft remained surrounded by emergency service vehicles and blue lights.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 5.30pm today three fire engines from across Greater Manchester and the technical response unit attended an aircraft crash at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles.
“Firefighters arrived quickly and assisted Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and the airport fire service in making the area safe and helping two casualties out of the aircraft.
“Both casualties were transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service and transferred to Salford Royal Hospital. Crews were in attendance for roughly one hour.”