An investigation has been launched after a Royal Navy Hawk jet crashed in Cornwall, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Witnesses described two crew members safely ejecting from the plane, which reports suggest to have been a Hawk T1 variant – the same aircraft flown in the Red Arrows.
The Hawk 1 has a top speed of more than 620mph and a range of more than 1,400 miles (2,250km).
The pilots, understood to be trainees, escaped moments before the jet went down on the Lizard Peninsula, roughly 10 miles from RNAS Culdrose, one of the largest helicopter bases in Europe, just after 9:30am on Thursday, according to the Mirror.
In a statement, the MoD said: “Two pilots are being checked by medics after ejecting from a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron during a flight from RNAS Culdrose. An investigation will begin in due course. We won’t be providing further details at this time.”
Devon and Cornwall police confirmed that two people at the scene in the St Martins area of Helston were treated by ambulance crews and will be taken to hospital.
The force tweeted: “Emergency services are currently in the St Martins area of Helston following reports of a plane crash. Public are asked to avoid the area while first responders attend the scene.
“Two people have been treated by ambulance at the scene and will now be taken to hospital. Their injuries are not currently thought to be life-threatening or changing.”
