Two people killed after light aircraft crashes in Greater Manchester

Two people have di£d after a light aircraft crashed in Littleborough, Greater Manchester. 

The plane is believed to have taken off from Birmingham around 10am on Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, before it came down on farmland near to Hollingworth Lake and Blackstone Edge. 

The bodies of two men were recovered and both were pronounced de@d at the scene, Greater Manchester Police confirmed. 

No one else is thought have been on board and there were no injuries on the ground. 

Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis, from GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “This is a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives and our thoughts are with their families and friends. 

“We have been working closely with emergency service colleagues and partner agencies throughout the day to establish the full circumstances and we will be on scene overnight and into tomorrow. 

“There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered.” 

A torn parachute had been seen dangling from a pylon close to where the aircraft hit the ground. 

Helicopters were spotted flying over the area of the crash as a major emergency response was underway on the ground. 

A local told Metro that “more than 100” emergency response vehicles rushed down their road towards the crashsite, including “ambulances, police, CID, cranes and foam units”. 

They described the weather in Littleborough as “awful”, saying it was “very windy, showers on and off, foggy and grey”. 

It has not yet been confirmed whether anybody is seriously injured. 

The crash is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch, the agency has confirmed.