Police say Navy jet that crashed in Cornwall hit trees, a wall and broke apart
Emergency services have given an update after the Hawk T1 came down in a field near Helston
Last updated 25th Mar 2021
Police have told us a Royal Navy jet that crashed in Cornwall hit trees, a wall and came apart.
The wreckage of the Hawk T1 from RNAS Culdrose is lying in woodland at St Martin near Helston.
The MoD has confirmed both pilots managed to eject before their aircraft came down on Thursday morning (25th March).
The men were airlifted to Derriford but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
Eyewitnesses described seeing their parachutes open before hearing a "very loud bang" as the jet banked over a nearby hill.
Sergeant Chris Miles from Falmouth and Helston was among the first emergency officers on the scene.
"We received. about nine o'clock this morning, a number of calls regarding an aircraft that had come down and a possible fire and explosion.
"It's certainly not in the best it's been. It's impacted trees and a wall and I believe it's come apart to a fair degree.
"Obviously the pilots have ejected and parachuted away. The ejector seats then land so we conducted a search for those. They are dangerous to a degree in that they have explosive charges in them. They've both been located now and Culdrose will be making those safe".
Sergeant Chris Miles, Falmouth and Helston Police
The incident triggered a multi-agency response involving Devon and Cornwall Police, Royal Navy and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
Paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service, Cornwall Air Ambulance and the HM Coastguard rescue helicopter.
"We responded with crews from Mullion, St Keverne and Helston as well as specialist officers from around the county.
"We've secured the site. We've mitigated against any risks. We're now in the process of handing it over the military who will carry out their investigations.
We've secured the site. We've laid down a foam blanket to mitigate against the risk of that flammable atmosphere that aviation fuel could produce and now we're in the midst of handing it back over the military for them to carry out their investigations".
Incident Commander Ian Neal, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
The MoD has said an investigation will be carried out "in due course".
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