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Plane crashes at Chris Evans' CarFest in Cheshire Pilot killed in plane crash at Chris Evans' car festival
(about 1 hour later)
A plane that was part of an acrobatic display at a festival founded by TV presenter Chris Evans has crashed. A pilot has been killed when an aircraft taking part in an aerial show plummeted to the ground in front of horrified spectators. The accident happened shortly after 2pm at the CarFest event in Oulton Park, Cheshire, created by TV and radio presenter Chris Evans to support BBC Children in Need.
Police are attending the crash at CarFest at Oulton Park in Cheshire, an event organised by the new Top Gear presenter to support BBC Children in Need. Evans told reporters: “There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life. Our condolences go out to his family, who have been informed.
There is no confirmation of any injuries or the cause of the crash, which happened shortly after 2pm, but Evans described it as a “serious incident”.
I am very sad to announce there has been a serious air incident at CarFest North off site. The emergency services are in attendance.I am very sad to announce there has been a serious air incident at CarFest North off site. The emergency services are in attendance.
The plane is understood to be part of the Gnat Display Team, which is owned by Heritage Aircraft Limited and based at North Weald airfield. The plane was understood to be part of the Gnat display team, which is owned by Heritage Aircraft Limited and based at North Weald airfield.
CarFest is described as “a dream of cars, music, food and masses of family fun – a dream conjured up by Chris Evans and brought to life”. Acts such as Joss Stone, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Texas are performing. CarFest is described as “a dream of cars, music, food and masses of family fun – a dream conjured up by Chris Evans and brought to life”. Acts such as Joss Stone, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Texas are performing. The event in Cheshire began on Friday and is due to continue until Sunday, with a second event in Hampshire scheduled for the August bank holiday weekend. Attendees have posted pictures on social media of plumes of black smoke rising from trees surrounding the park.
The event in Cheshire began on Friday and is due to continue until Sunday, with a second event in Hampshire scheduled for the August bank holiday weekend.
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 around 1400 today.
“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.”
Cheshire police said the plane had crashed in a wooded area near the festival site.
“Officers are currently at the scene working to find out what has happened,” a police statement said. “The incident is in a very early stage and more details will be released when they become available.”
Attendees have posted pictures on social media of plumes of black smoke rising from trees surrounding the park.
Local Cheshire Chronicle reporter Mark Dowling said the crash had taken place during the display, with local visitors reporting that the plane had not seemed to be in difficulty.
This was the scene seconds after the plane crashed during a display at CarFest. pic.twitter.com/XU2uvG63hUThis was the scene seconds after the plane crashed during a display at CarFest. pic.twitter.com/XU2uvG63hU
Shocking plane has just crashed at Carfest hope he got out pic.twitter.com/wGPGSdmJaAShocking plane has just crashed at Carfest hope he got out pic.twitter.com/wGPGSdmJaA
The jet flew over our heads low panned to the left and lost control #CarFestNorth and hit the ground huge explosion pic.twitter.com/CrvHv6ItPeThe jet flew over our heads low panned to the left and lost control #CarFestNorth and hit the ground huge explosion pic.twitter.com/CrvHv6ItPe
Spectator Adam Ignatowicz told the BBC: “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. One spectator told the BBC: “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. Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening.”
“Everyone realised what had happened. The other plane went straight over to see what was happening.” CarFest said in a statement: “An aircraft flying with the Gnat display team came down approximately one mile north of the site. The pilot has been confirmed as a fatality. We do not believe that any other person has been harmed in the incident. We are working very closely with the police, emergency services and all relevant authorities. We have helpfully received images and footage captured by those close to the site, which will aid with the police investigation. Chris Evans “Should anyone else have similar photo or video footage, they are asked to keep hold of it in case the authorities request further information. Our thoughts are with the family of the pilot and all those affected at this time.”
“Our condolences go out to his family who have been informed,” Evans said. “The police have also advised us that the best thing and the safest thing to do is to carry on with the event bearing in mind that there are 10,000 children here - and that is what we are going to do.”
He said it would be “completely inappropriate” to speculate on how the accident happened, and that he would give a tribute to the pilot at a later point.
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: “AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site.”