One dead after runway incident at Co Down airfield

An incident on the runway at a Co Down airfield has left at least one person injured.

One dead after runway incident at Co Down airfield

Updated 15:06

A man has died after a microlight aircraft crashed in a Co Down airfield.

The incident, involving a two-seater light aircraft, happened shortly after 11am this morning at Newtownards Airfield in Co Down. It is thought the plane stalled on take-off.

Emergency services attended the scene, where one person was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Shortly after 2pm, the PSNI confirmed that a person had died following the incident.

Gerry Snodden, a flight instructor at the airfield, said it had been closed for the rest of the day, and the air accident investigation branch was due to inspect the scene.

Image stills from the airfield's webcam showed emergency services attending the scene at approximately 11.34am.

Local Councillor Jimmy Menagh, who lives near the airfield, told local media that the plane crashed on take-off.

"He was taking off and got airborne and the next thing he crashed to the ground," he told Belfast Live.

The Ulster Flying Club, which operates from the airfield, has a fleet of four Cessna aircraft and one Tecnam P2002.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Inspector Mark Roberts said: “Police and other emergency services are dealing with an incident at Newtownards Airfield.

“Our set emergency protocols are in place and we will provide an update in due course.”

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