Two dead after light aircraft crashes in a field in Essex

Firefighters were called to a field near Chigwell in Essex after reports that a light aircraft was '100 per cent alight'

Police have closed off sections of the road near the crash site

(PA)

A light aircraft has crashed in a field near Chigwell in Essex, killing two people.

The plane was reported to be "100 per cent alight" by fire crews who rushed to stop the blaze.

The East of England Ambulance Service has sent a rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers and the hazardous area response team to the site.

But Essex Police reported that two people on board the Beechcraft King Air 200 plane had died.

A spokeswoman for the nearby Stapleford Aerodrome said the plane had not been taking off from there, contrary to earlier reports.

Twitter users reported hearing a large bang near the crash site at the time of impact:

An eyewitness told the Essex Chronicle: "I'm parked in a public car park in Lamourne End over looking all the fields and roads leading to the scene.

"All the roads are blocked and you can't get anywhere near it. There is a police helicopter about 50 feet over head above the scene and there is not much else to see.

"There's been reports that the plane hit a propane tank as it came down but looking at the field there are no propane tanks around."

A spoksman for Essex Police said: "Police and other emergency services are at the scene of a light aircraft crash which has happened in a field off Gravel Lane in Chigwell.

"The light aircraft came down shortly before 10:20am this morning (Saturday, October 3). It is not yet known how many people were on board or numbr of casualties, or where the plane was flying to or from. We woud urge people not to attend the scene. Further updates will be given in due course".

Police have cordoned off the surrounding roads.

More to follow