Two pilots were forced to eject as their Royal Navy jet crashed in Cornwall during a training exercise today.
Locals spotted the Hawk T1 jet flying low over their homes in The Lizard area before it came down in a field earlier today.
The plane is believed to have left 736 Naval Air Squadron based at Culdrose on a training exercise before crashing just nine miles away in the St Martins area of Helston.
It is understood the jet, which can travel up to speeds of 620mph, issued a mayday call just moments after taking off around 9am.
Emergency services at the scene of the crash where the Navy jet came down today
Emergency vehicles surround the scene in Helston where the jet crashed around 9am
The jet crashed at around 9.40am today at a field in the St Martin area of Helston, shortly after taking off
An incident commander with the Cornwall fire department at the scene of the crash
The pilots were taken to hospital after ejecting from the Royal Navy Hawk aircraft. Pictured, A stock image of a BAE Hawk T1
The Ministry of Defence said: ‘Two pilots are being checked by medics after ejecting from a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron during a flight from RNAS Culdrose.
‘An investigation will begin in due course. We won’t be providing further detail at this time.’
Locals said there was a huge ‘crack’ sound when two pilots ejected from the crashing twin-seat fast-jet before it banked and smashed into a field.
One woman said: ‘I saw the plane fly low over our house and then there was a crack as the two pilots ejected.
‘Parachutes open. Plane then banked left and crashed in nearby field. Just hope no one was hurt.’
Another woman who called 999 added: ‘I saw the plane flying low over our house, I heard a clunking sound, it flew on over our fields and then there was a loud crack and we saw two pilots ejecting.
‘I watched as their parachutes opened.
‘I then saw the plane bank left and over the top of a hill before hearing a very loud bang.
‘There was no smoke or fire and I hear from locals that thankfully no one was seriously hurt.’
The primary role of 736 Naval Air Squadron is to provide simulated ship attacks for Royal Navy and NATO units in the run-up to deployment – using their jets to replicate the threats from enemy fighter aircraft and high-speed sea-skimming missiles.
This comes just days after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed the UK’s fleet of 36 Hawk T1 jets will be axed and replaced with drones.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed emergency services were at the scene of the crash and urged the public to stay clear of the area.
Sergeant Chris Miles of Devon and Cornwall Police said from the crash scene: ‘We’ve had a call this morning about an aircraft which has come down in the bottom of this field and the debris from it is into the woods beyond.
‘So there is no actual aircraft that you can see in the field. There were two people aboard that have been taken to hospital.
‘It is not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. We are just in the recovery stage for parts of the aircraft.
‘The fire brigade and Culdrose are in attendance making it safe. Aviation fuel is the main hazard at the moment. I believe it’s from RNAS Culdrose. A training aircraft of some description.’
The primary role of 736 Naval Air Squadron (pictured), is to provide simulated ship attacks for Royal Navy and NATO units in the run-up to deployment
An open day at RNAS Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall. The jet had taken off from the base before coming down
The force tweeted: ‘Emergency services are currently in the St Martins area of Helston following reports of a plane crash. Two people have been treated by ambulance at the scene and will now be taken to hospital. Their injuries are not currently thought to be life-threatening or changing.’
South Western Ambulance Service wrote on Twitter: ‘We were called on Thursday at 9.45am to reports of a plane crash in the area of St Martin’s near Helston in Cornwall. We sent land and air crews to attend the incident.
‘We treated two patients at the scene and transported them to hospital for further care. Their condition isn’t thought to be life-threatening.’
Under plans unveiled by the Government earlier this week, a vast slew of fighters, transport aircraft, trainers and helicopters will be phased out over the next few years.
They will be replaced by the next generation of unmanned fighting platforms, including long-range Protector aircraft and ‘swarming drones’ that work alongside conventional attack aircraft.
The changes were set out in a defence command paper that includes £3 billion for new vehicles, long range rocket systems, electronic warfare and cyber capabilities.
Titled ‘Defence in a Competitive Age’, it sets out how forces will spend more time deployed overseas to support allies and deter hostile powers such as Russia, which was identified in the Integrated Review as the ‘most acute threat’ to the UK.