Two people are feared dead after a pair of light aircraft collided in mid-air over the Midlands.
Two people are feared dead after a pair of light aircraft collided in mid-air over the Midlands.
One of the planes crashed into a field near Blithfield reservoir, Staffs, and police believe two people have been killed.
One of the planes crashed into a field near Blithfield reservoir, Staffs, and police believe two people have been killed.
The other aircraft managed to land at East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire where three people on board scrambled to safety.
The other aircraft managed to land at East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire where three people on board scrambled to safety.
The runway has now re-opened after the emergency landing.
The runway has now re-opened after the emergency landing.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said they were at the field between Uttoxeter and Stafford where the plane came down, around 25 miles away from East Midlands Airport.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said they were at the field between Uttoxeter and Stafford where the plane came down, around 25 miles away from East Midlands Airport.
Aircraft enthusiast Richard Chamberlain was watching the skies from his position parallel to the runway at East Midlands Airport.
A farmer who spotted the wreckage said the plane had caught fire and he alerted the emergency services.
He was listening on a scanner when he heard the mayday call go out from the pilot who landed at the airport.
It was very unnerving watching it come in Richard Chamberlain Michael Sergeant, owner of Rectory farm, where the plane came down, said: "I saw the plane and it was badly burnt.
It was very unnerving watching it come in Richard Chamberlain
"I went up to it in my Land Rover and saw there was nothing I could do and dialled 999."
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Ambulance said: "I can confirm we were called to attend an incident involving a light aircraft which crashed into a field at approximately 1220 GMT.
Mayday call
"A rapid response team, doctor and ambulance were sent to the scene. An air ambulance was put on standby but was later stood down.
"We cannot confirm reports of fatalities at this time."
Aircraft enthusiast Richard Chamberlain was watching the skies from his position parallel to the runway at East Midlands Airport when he saw the other plane land.
He was listening on a scanner when he heard the mayday call go out from the pilot.
'Text-book landing'
He told the BBC News Website: "The pilot reported he had hit something. He didn't know what it was but said there was burning debris beneath him and he said he had lost part of his undercarriage. He requested emergency landing facilities.
He told the BBC News Website: "The pilot reported he had hit something. He didn't know what it was but said there was burning debris beneath him and he said he had lost part of his undercarriage. He requested emergency landing facilities.
"I saw the plane come into land, I was literally about 100 yards away and had a clear view.
"I saw the plane come into land, I was literally about 100 yards away and had a clear view.
"It was very unnerving watching it come in. It looked to have lost two or three wheels. You could see the pilot was shocked but he stayed calm and it was a text-book landing.
"It was very unnerving watching it come in. It looked to have lost two or three wheels. You could see the pilot was shocked but he stayed calm and it was a text-book landing.
"It landed on its left-hand side, cocked over onto its wing, but there was no fire.
"It landed on its left-hand side, cocked over onto its wing, but there was no fire.
'No fire'
"I've never seen anything like this before - you hope everything is going to go OK and luckily there was no fire.
"I've never seen anything like this before, you hope everything is going to go OK, with aviation fuel involved and luckily there was no fire.
"The emergency services were already in place and the plane touched down about mid-point on the runway."
"The emergency services were already in place and the plane touched down about mid-point on the runway."
Chip shop manager Mr Chamberlain said he did not see the collision itself, which happened 14 miles away, but said from what the pilot said it happened at about 1,800 feet up.
Chip shop manager Mr Chamberlain, from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, said he did not see the collision itself, which happened 14 miles away, but said from what the pilot said it happened at about 1,800 feet up.
Michael Sergeant, owner of Rectory farm, where the plane came down, said: "I saw the plane and it was badly burnt.
"I went up to it in my Land Rover and saw there was nothing I could do and dialled 999."
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Ambulance said: "I can confirm we were called to attend an incident involving a light aircraft which crashed into a field at approximately 1220 GMT.
"A rapid response team, doctor and ambulance were sent to the scene. An air ambulance was put on standby but was later stood down.
"We can not confirm reports of fatalities at this time."
Flights diverted
Flights diverted
A spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said: "The incident involved a privately-owned light aircraft which performed an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport.
A spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said: "The incident involved a privately-owned light aircraft which performed an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport.
"The airport was following its full emergency procedures and emergency personnel were on site."
"The airport was following its full emergency procedures and emergency personnel were on site."
The aircraft was not immediately thought to have been badly damaged in the landing and the three people on board were being checked over by medics, added the spokeswoman.
The aircraft was not immediately thought to have been badly damaged in the landing and the three people on board were being checked over by medics, added the spokeswoman.
Nine flights were diverted to Birmingham International Airport and two were cancelled while the runway was closed. It re-opened shortly after 1500 GMT.
Nine flights were diverted to Birmingham International Airport and two were cancelled while the runway was closed. It re-opened shortly after 1500 GMT.
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