Hanningfield Reservoir aircraft crash sees police launch main replace after physique discovered

A mans body has been recovered from Hanningfield Reservoir after a small private plane crashed into the water on Sunday, Essex Police said.

The man is believed to be the sole occupant of the Beagle B121 Pup, which is a private aircraft.

Police said the plane departed North Weald Airfield, near Harlow, just before 12pm that day and crashed in the reservoir, near Chelmsford, at around 2pm.

The investigation has not identified any suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner, the force said.

Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan said: “I would firstly like to recognise that someone has lost their life in tragic circumstances. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident.

“Work to formally identify this man will be undertaken sensitively with HM Coroner, and it is not right that we officially confirm his identity until this procedure is followed.

“My officers, the AAIB and divers supporting from the Metropolitan Police Service continued to search the reservoir following activity late into Monday evening (29 December).

“Our inquiries identified the specific area we believe the aircraft entered the water, and using sonar equipment under the water the teams methodically scanned the reservoir floor.

“This has resulted in the discovery of debris and, crucially, a body.

“We believe this is the body of the sole occupant of the aircraft and our search activity has therefore concluded.

“As a result of further investigative work, we will be preparing a file for the coroner.

“Responsibility for the reservoir and any required further recovery work will pass back to the owners of the site.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry this search out. This was highly-detailed work being carried out by specialists from across multiple agencies.”

The incident has not impacted upon the supply of water to customers, Essex and Suffolk Water said.

A spokesperson for Essex and Suffolk Water added: “Essex and Suffolk water teams are managing the reservoir carefully to ensure that water quality and ecology are protected.”

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