Two people have been confirmed dead at Newtownards Airport following a light aircraft crash on Tuesday night.
olice said in a statement: “It was reported to the police at 8.20pm that a light aircraft had crashed at the airport. Officers and other emergency services arrived at the scene.
“Unfortunately, two people have been pronounced dead.”
The community was said to be “in shock” following the incident at the airport, where burning wreckage could be seen on Tuesday night as firefighters sprayed water over the small plane.
The ambulance service said on Tuesday that no patients had been taken from the scene.
A spokesman said they received a 999 call at 8.21pm following reports of an incident on Portaferry Road, Newtownards. Two emergency teams, a doctor and an ambulance were sent to the scene of the accident.
An eyewitness at the scene told the Belfast Telegraph that the plane crashed into hedgerows near the Cloud 9 restaurant.
“An ambulance has left the scene but fire crews are still there,” they said.
“A lot of people are coming together to see what’s going on.
“There’s a police car at the main entrance.”
Ards Airport is home to the Ulster Flying Club, where many have learned to fly small training aircraft such as Cessnas.
In a statement, a PSNI spokesman said: “Police and other emergency services are currently attending the scene of a light aircraft crash at Newtownards Airport. No further details.”
A spokesman for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed crews were at the scene.
They said crews were dispatched to the scene at around 8.20pm and three appliances were still in attendance last night.
Alliance Party councilor Vicky Moore lives near the airport and visited the site after the crash on Tuesday night.
She said: “This is a huge shock to the community and obviously all our thoughts are with the families of those who were affected and especially those who died in the incident.
“Really the airport here in Newtownards is part of the community, it’s very busy, it’s been a fixture in the town for a very, very long time.
“The local people are used to the activity at the airport and this will be a terrible shock for them.
She added: “I live under the flight path, probably about a 10-15 minute walk.
“I was at the place last night. The police were not allowing anyone access to the airport, but you could see that there were several emergency vehicles there.
“This is a very rare occurrence, given the activity there is at the airport.
“It is mainly used by flight schools, pleasure flights, small, independent and private aircraft.
“The airport is so popular that something like this is not expected to happen.
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Strangford MLA Kelly Armstrong expressed concern following the incident.
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Emergency services at the scene of a major light aircraft crash in Newtownards on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Scott for the Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Emergency services at the scene of a major light aircraft crash in Newtownards on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Kevin Scott for the Belfast Telegraph)
“It appears that a light aircraft crashed on landing,” she said.
“There are many fire engines at the scene and the situation is very alarming.
“It was a nice evening with no fog or obvious weather issues.”
The Alliance spokesman said all those on the plane were likely members of the Ulster Flying Club.
“A lot of people book flights at the airport,” she explained.
“But they won’t be leisure flyers given the time it happened.”
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon also offered his sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives last night in…
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