4 Hurt In Plane Runway Drama

Four people have been injured after an aeroplane veered off the runway during take off.

The Saab 340 aircraft operated by Loganair was leaving for Glasgow when the incident happened at Stornoway Airport on Lewis at 8.33am.

Two men were taken to Western Isles Hospital with minor injuries.

Police said that two female passengers sustained minor injuries but declined medical assistance.

The 26 passengers, including one infant aged under two, and three crew on board were evacuated from the aircraft and returned to the main terminal.

An investigation has been launched to establish what caused the incident and whether wind conditions may have contributed to it.

A Loganair spokesman said: On departure from Stornoway Airport the 8.30am flight BE6821 for Glasgow left the runway during take off.

The Saab 340 aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and three crew members.

All passengers and crew were safely evacuated and returned to the airport's terminal. Two passengers sustained what we understand are minor injuries and have gone to the local hospital.

A full investigation is now under way to ascertain the cause of the incident and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been notified.''

There are some delays and cancellations to flights at the airport this afternoon.

It is hoped normal operations will resume once the plane has been removed from the runway.

In a statement, Stornoway Airport said: Efforts to remove the aircraft from the runway are ongoing and investigations into the cause of the incident are under way.

It is our intention to resume normal operations as soon as the aircraft is safely removed from the runway.''

After leaving the runway the plane came to rest on the grass next to it.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent three appliances to the scene.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: A full air accident investigation has now been launched and will be carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in conjunction with Police Scotland.''