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Plane crashes at CarFest in Cheshire Display pilot killed in CarFest crash
(35 minutes later)
A plane that was part of a display team has crashed at the CarFest motoring event in Cheshire. The pilot of a display team aeroplane has been killed in a crash at the CarFest motoring event in Cheshire.
Emergency services are at the scene in Oulton Park. The crash happened just after 14:00 BST. The event's founder BBC presenter Chris Evans confirmed his death and said the pilot's family had been informed.
BBC producer Justin Bones, who is at the scene, said two planes performed a low-level, close-proximity pass just before the crash. Mr Evans, who appeared tearful when delivering a statement, said there was a "tragic accident, the result of which was one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life".
One of the aircraft failed to pull up and crashed north of the circuit, he said. The crash happened at Oulton Park just after 14:00 BST.
Mr Bones said he did not see an ejector seat deploy from the aircraft, nor a parachute, and the plane possibly landed in a wood. BBC producer Justin Bones, on the scene, said two planes performed a low-level, close-proximity pass just before the crash.
'Serious air incident''Serious air incident'
The identity of the pilot is not yet known. No injuries have been confirmed. One of the aircraft failed to pull up and crashed north of the circuit, he said.
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said it received reports of a plane having crashed in a wooded area near the CarFest site at Oulton Park in Little Budworth. Mr Evans said a more comprehensive statement would be issued with a further statement on Sunday "when we know more".
He said: "The event will continue on the advice of the three aviation authorities we are currently involved with as part of the ongoing investigation to what happened."
When it was commented the crash had upset him greatly, Mr Evans said: "Of course it has."
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said the force had received reports of a plane having crashed in a wooded area near the CarFest site at Oulton Park in Little Budworth.
"Officers are currently at the scene trying to establish what has happened. The incident is in the very early stages and further details will be released when they are known," she said."Officers are currently at the scene trying to establish what has happened. The incident is in the very early stages and further details will be released when they are known," she said.
BBC presenter Chris Evans who was the founder of CarFest, which raises money for BBC Children in Need, has tweeted about the crash. Eyewitnesses described horrified spectators screaming as a plane nosedived suddenly.
He said: "I am very sad to announce there has been a serious air incident at CarFest North off site. The emergency services are in attendance."
Eyewitnesses described horrified spectators screaming as a plane nose dived suddenly.
Tessa Angel was watching the display with her husband and said the mood at the festival "was a bit sombre".Tessa Angel was watching the display with her husband and said the mood at the festival "was a bit sombre".
"We saw two planes flying, weaving side-by-side. One was at a strange angle. My husband said: 'That's low. I hope he comes back up.' Then it went down. "We saw two planes flying, weaving side by side. One was at a strange angle. My husband said: 'That's low. I hope he comes back up.' Then it went down.
"People were staring, asking what happened. I didn't see any parachute. There were sirens within seconds, then a helicopter hovering. It's still hovering.""People were staring, asking what happened. I didn't see any parachute. There were sirens within seconds, then a helicopter hovering. It's still hovering."
'Sirens within seconds''Sirens within seconds'
Another eyewitness said: "I was at the shop. There were two planes flying around. One of them just seemed to do a dive where the car park is. Then there was a bang.Another eyewitness said: "I was at the shop. There were two planes flying around. One of them just seemed to do a dive where the car park is. Then there was a bang.
"There were emergency services running through. Air Ambulance is there now. Everyone's questioning what's happening. Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening." "There were emergency services running through. Air ambulance is there now. Everyone's questioning what's happening. Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening."
Steve Glüning, who works with aircraft, said: "It's an airshow and it's dangerous. You know these things can happen but when they happen in front of you it's shocking.Steve Glüning, who works with aircraft, said: "It's an airshow and it's dangerous. You know these things can happen but when they happen in front of you it's shocking.
"We were at the CarFest, my partner and I. Two Gnats came in. Five or six minutes doing individual and pair displays. They did a crossover. One went North and the other, I saw it jink. It went past the trees. Two or three seconds later there was a fireball."We were at the CarFest, my partner and I. Two Gnats came in. Five or six minutes doing individual and pair displays. They did a crossover. One went North and the other, I saw it jink. It went past the trees. Two or three seconds later there was a fireball.
"Instantly, you know that could be fatal.""Instantly, you know that could be fatal."
People attending the event posted photos of the billowing smoke and noted their dismay on Twitter.People attending the event posted photos of the billowing smoke and noted their dismay on Twitter.
Johnathan Randall tweeted: "Think I've just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned. Everyone on their phones."Johnathan Randall tweeted: "Think I've just witnessed a plane crash? Crowd looks glum, confused, concerned. Everyone on their phones."
Emma McEvoy added: "OMG plane crashed right in front of our eyes at Carfest hope the pilot ejected!! Whole crowd went silent!"Emma McEvoy added: "OMG plane crashed right in front of our eyes at Carfest hope the pilot ejected!! Whole crowd went silent!"
CarFest organisers said in a statement: "There has been a serious air incident outside the site of CarFest North, Oulton Park, Cheshire, during an air display at about 1400.CarFest organisers said in a statement: "There has been a serious air incident outside the site of CarFest North, Oulton Park, Cheshire, during an air display at about 1400.
"The emergency services are in attendance and the air accident services have been notified."The emergency services are in attendance and the air accident services have been notified.
"The event is continuing and more information will be released when it becomes available. No further comment will be made at this time.""The event is continuing and more information will be released when it becomes available. No further comment will be made at this time."
Celebrities attending the event including TV chefs James Martin, Tom Kerridge and Paul Hollywood were due to attend the event. Daniel Finlay filmed the planes taking off before the display began.
He said: "I work at Hawarden Airport and was at the flying school in Cheshire. We were watching them taxiing out. I was surprised when one of them didn't come back but later heard on the news what had happened."
CarFest is a motoring and music festival. Live music at the event was scheduled from acts including Primal Scream and Joss Stone.CarFest is a motoring and music festival. Live music at the event was scheduled from acts including Primal Scream and Joss Stone.
Mr Evans, a car enthusiast who has just become the new presenter of BBC Top Gear, created the event which raises money for BBC Children in Need.
Other celebrities attending the event included TV chefs James Martin, Tom Kerridge and Paul Hollywood.
A vintage village, a fairground and a beach were also among the attractions.A vintage village, a fairground and a beach were also among the attractions.
Chris Evans is a car enthusiast who has just become the new presenter of BBC Top Gear.