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Harrier jet crashes near village

Pa
Monday 16 June 2008 15:18 BST
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A Harrier jet crashed in Rutland today, a fire and rescue service spokesman said.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident, in the area of Ashwell village, at around 1.47pm, and 10 appliances were deployed.

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary said: "So far we know that one pilot has ejected and that he has been taken to the Queen's Medical Centre (in Nottingham) by ambulance. That's all we know so far."

The spokeswoman added that she did not know if anybody else was involved in the incident.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We can confirm that just before 1350 today a Harrier GR7 aircraft from RAF Cottesmore came down on open farmland near the village of Ashwell.

"The pilot ejected prior to the crash and has been taken to hospital by air ambulance. There is no word at this time on the condition of the pilot and there are no reports of casualties on the ground.

"It is too early to say what might have caused the incident. However, a board of inquiry is being convened."

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