Witnesses have described the moment a light aircraft plummeted to the ground at Teesside airport.
The airport has been closed "until further notice" due to the runway incident on Saturday morning.
As reported earlier today, the plane's pilot and two passengers who were on board the aircraft have been taken to James Cook hospital in Teesside, with at least one known to have suffered serious injuries.
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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 on board are OK."
Another onlooker, who was in an adjacent field, said: "I heard it come down with a loud bang".
One source told our sister website Teesside Live that the aircraft had climbed to "around 300ft" before it came down.
Teesside Airport has been approached by Teesside Live for a response to that last claim.
It has 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."
A statement from the airport read: "Our runway will remain closed until further notice while a thorough investigation is carried out.
"We would like to thank the emergency services, on site staff for their quick response."
Several flights intended to land in Teesside are "likely" to be diverted to Newcastle International Airport.
And passengers who are meant to be flying out of Teesside on Loganair have been "contacted and advised that they will be accommodated on the next and best available flight."
