Police rushed to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after reports of a Spitfire plane crashing in a field – and a rescue helicopter is reported to have landed at the airfield.
A Spitfire has crashed during a Battle of Britain event in Lincolnshire.
Police rushed to the public event at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire following reports of an aircraft crashing in a field just before 1.20pm. Authorities have confirmed that no one else other than a single occupant aircraft is thought to be involved. A rescue helicopter is believed to have landed at the airfield after flying from Humberside.
Drivers have been urged to avoid the area as road closures have been put in place. In a statement, Lincolnshire Police said: “Emergency services are in attendance following reports of an aircraft crashing in a field just before 1.20pm. It is believed to be a single occupant aircraft and nobody else is thought to have been involved. Road closures are in place in the areas of Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.”
RAF Coningsby is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Stations which provides protection for the UK airspace. It is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is the training station for Typhoon pilots. According to Gloucestershire Live, the spitfire involved was a Supermarine Spitfire aircraft.
The model was previously used both before and after World War II. It was designed by R. J. Mitchell and was best known for its role in the Battle of Britain and for its unique elliptical wings, which offered the combination of speed, maneuverability, and firepower. It has been reported that there are around 60 Spitfires still airworthy around the world.
These aircraft are often seen at airshows and are preserved by museums and private collectors. In addition to the airworthy Spitfires, many more are preserved in museums and private collections as static displays, with the total number of surviving Spitfires (airworthy and non-airworthy) being around 240.
Police have asked anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference 221 of May 25, 2024.
