Littleborough aircraft crash horror leaves two lifeless as parachute seen caught on pylon
Emergency services launched a major operation after a Cirrus SR20 aircraft crashed on moorland near Blackstone Edge this morning – sadly both people who were on board died
Emergency services at the scene(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Two men have tragically lost their lives in a devastating plane crash. Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Police, ambulances and fire crews, were dispatched to a moorland area near Blackstone Edge and Hollingworth Lake earlier today (February 3).
Specialist emergency teams were also reported to be at the scene. The incident followed reports of a light aircraft crash in the area on Tuesday morning. The private plane, now identified as a small Cirrus SR 20, had taken off from Birmingham Airport around 10am.
There were two passengers on board. It’s understood by the M.E. N that one individual is believed to have escaped the aircraft using a parachute, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported a Cirrus SR20 leaving Birmingham just before 10am, with its journey lasting approximately 40 minutes before the final signal was picked up south of the M62 motorway near Marsden, West Yorkshire.
Cirrus, the manufacturer of the suspected aircraft, includes a parachute as standard equipment on all its certified aircraft models.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly after 11.30am and remained on site throughout the day. Police, fire crews and paramedics were seen responding to the major incident, alongside an air ambulance and specialist investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Tuesday evening that two men had tragically lost their lives in a plane crash. The bodies were found at the scene, but formal identification is yet to take place.
It is not believed there was anyone else on board, and there are no reported injuries on the ground, GMP said. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) also confirmed it has launched an investigation into the crash and sent a team to the site.
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. If anyone has any information, or witnessed the crash, we would urge you to get in touch with us.”
In a statement, the AAIB added: “An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred today near Rochdale, Greater Manchester has been notified to the AAIB. An investigation has been launched and a multidisciplinary team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site.”
