A flight to Liverpool has been cancelled after a light aircraft plummeted to the ground at Teeside Airport.
Teesside Airport’s runway is currently closed after the incident involving a light aircraft that left three people in hospita l.
The airport said in a statement on Twitter that the incident occurred at 9.39am on Saturday and the pilot and two passengers on board needed emergency care.
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It said its runway would remain closed “until further notice” while an investigation is carried out.
The airport said: “We can confirm an incident occurred today involving a light aircraft at 9.39am. A pilot and two passengers were onboard and have been taken to hospital.
“Our runway will remain closed until further notice while a thorough investigation is carried out.
“We would like to thank the emergency services (and) on-site staff for their quick response.”
Teeside Airport said flight number LOG835P to Liverpool has been cancelled and that any affected passengers should contact the airline.
One anonymous witness, who was tending to a horse in a nearby field, said: "I heard the plane engine start to sputter, then looked up to see it bank left sharply.
"The engine sounded like it was really struggling, then it just seemed to cut out.
"It looked like the pilot managed to keep the plane fairly level as it started to come down, but then it just dropped rapidly, then I heard a thud behind the tree line.
"Thankfully there was no explosion or fire. I phoned the emergency services immediately, and the air ambulance arrived about 20 to 30 minutes later.
"I just hope those onboard are OK."
Another onlooker, who was in an adjacent field, said: "I heard it come down with a loud bang".
And one source told Teesside Live that the aircraft had climbed to "around 300ft" before it came down.
The airport has been approached for a response to that last claim.
It's been confirmed that one person involved in the incident suffered "serious injuries".
The North East Ambulance Service said it took two of the casualties to hospital by road, and one went by air ambulance.
A hazard area response team was sent to the scene, along with an ambulance and a specialist paramedic.
Rob Cherrie, the commander from Durham and Darlington fire service at the scene, sent two appliances and a rescue unit, alongside the airport's two appliances.
He said he believes the incident occurred "when the flight was taking off."
The North Eastern Ambulance Service (NEAS) said one of the three casualties had suffered serious injuries.
NEAS said in a statement: “We were called at 9.35am to reports of a light aircraft crashing at Durham Tees Valley Airport.
“We sent two ambulances, a specialist paramedic, an officer and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance.
“In total, three patients were taken to James Cook hospital, one with serious injuries. One patient was taken by air and the two other patients were transported by road.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers are with the three people onboard at the time of the incident and their families.
“At this time I want to thank the incredible response by the airport fire service and the immediate response of local emergency services to the incident.”
