Inquiry after two die in light aircraft crash

An investigation is under way after two men were killed when a light aircraft crashed in a field.

The accident happened on 24 January on farmland in Rushden, between Baldock and Buntingford in Hertfordshire.

First reported by The Comet on Monday, two men who were flying in the aircraft, both aged in their 60s, died at the scene.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which is leading the inquiry, said the aircraft wreckage had been gathered and would undergo analysis.

It added that the aircraft was a Aerotechnik EV-97A Eurostar, which is a small two-seater plane.

People living nearby said a cordon was set up and the road next to the field was shut for a day, with residents unable to drive home.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said there was a heavy emergency service presence in the aftermath of the crash.

"There were lots of people in the road and emergency services," he told the BBC.

"I assumed the worst, that a motorbike had come off into the field.

"Some people asked what was going on and the crews said it was a plane crash. That's all we knew."

Ann Garrott, who lives nearby, said: "There was a heavy police presence with lots of speculation as to what had happened."

Hertfordshire Police said officers, paramedics and fire crews attended the crash, which happened at 12:25 GMT.

A spokeswoman for the AAIB said a report would be published once the investigation had concluded.

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