Swiss fighter jet crashes during practice for air show in the Netherlands

The pilot ejected from the aircraft before impact and was taken to hospital

The F-5 fighter jet crashed during a display at an air show in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, on 9 June (YouTube)

A Swiss fighter jet has crashed after a mid-air collision during rehearsals for an air show in the Netherlands.

The pilot of the F-5 aircraft, which was part of the Patrouille Suisse display team, was not belived to be seriously injured in the accident on Thursday.

Footage showed the plane’s wreckage in flames on the edge of a lake as shocked onlookers gathered on the other side of the water.

It came ahead of a display at Leeuwarden Air Base, which is hosting a show open to the public this weekend.

The local fire brigade said the pilot ejected before impact and that a second plane involved in a mid-air collision landed safely.

The fighter pilot fell through a glass greenhouse as he landed and was taken to hospital, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported.

The Swiss defence ministry said the Patrouille Suisse team were training for their display when two of the Tiger F-5E planes collided for unknown reasons.

An investigation has been launched.