Light aircraft crashes 'with two on board'
An image being shared on social media later showed what appeared to be a parachute caught on a nearby pylon
- Published
A light aircraft thought to have been carrying two people has crashed in Greater Manchester, with emergency services called to the scene.
Police, firefighters and an air ambulance were sent to a patch of farmland close to the M62 in Littleborough, Rochdale, shortly after 11:00 GMT.
According to the Flight Radar website, which monitors air traffic, the downed aircraft is a small Cirrus SR 20 and had taken off from Birmingham.
The model of plane is known to deploy a parachute system and images circulating online appeared to show a yellow parachute canopy caught in a nearby pylon.
"We are currently in attendance to establish the full circumstances and assess any casualties," Greater Manchester Police said.
"A scene is in place while emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area as this work is carried out."
The air ambulance called to the scene - in Tunshill Lane which is just off Kiln Lane and close to Tunshill Golf Club - later landed at Salford Royal Hospital.
Police have urged people to avoid the area while an investigation continues
Pete Robinson said he was feeding his sheep when he heard sirens and saw a "massive response going up Blackstone Edge".
"So I went up into a top field and saw what I thought at the time to be a paraglider on the moor edge, engines and lights everywhere."
The farmer, from Shaw, said he saw response teams running up the track to the pylon.
"Hopefully they will be okay because the wind is horrendous up on the moor edge," he said.
Police, firefighters and an air ambulance were sent to a patch of farmland in Littleborough.
Stephanie Mills, from Dickey Steps Riding School, told BBC Radio Manchester there were lots of emergency vehicles in the area and a huge yellow parachute could be seen attached to the pylon.
"There wasn't any noise, I didn't hear anything but there is a huge yellow parachute. There is a lot of police and helicopters here too."
Andrew Mayall, a green keeper at Whittaker Golf Club, said: "I noticed something about 10ish this morning.
"I thought at first that a massive sheet had been blown up there at first as it's very windy up here."
The Air Accident Investigation Branch confirmed an investigation had been launched and a team of inspectors had been sent to the scene.
A Birmingham Airport spokesman said: "We can confirm that a private light aircraft left from the XLR Executive Jet Centre at around 10:00.
"We are supporting all our partners, and no further comment will be made until all facts are established."
XLR, which has teams at Birmingham, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Exeter, describes itself as catering for "discerning private clients" and "creating a premium flying experience for VIP passengers".
The Flight Radar website showed an image of the aircraft involved
Chf Supt Danny Inglis, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are working closely with emergency service colleagues and partner agencies to establish the full circumstances.
"There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered.
"We would ask people to please avoid the area to ensure that a full investigation and review can be carried out.
"If anyone has any information or witnessed the crash we would urge you to get in touch with us."
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