A pilot in his 60s is fighting for his life in hospital after his light aircraft crashed and flipped over at an airfield in Hampshire. The man, aged 62, had to be freed from the wreckage following the incident at Popham Airfield at around 5.45pm on Sunday.
He was taken to Southampton Hospital by road ambulance, where he is receiving treatment for serious and potentially life-threatening and life-changing injuries.
Emergency response
South Central Ambulance received the 999 call at 5.43pm reporting a microlite crash with the pilot trapped. The first crew arrived on the scene at 5.59pm, and an air ambulance and critical care doctors also attended, alongside police and fire crews.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters from Rushmoor, Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester were alerted to the scene. One casualty was released from the aircraft and passed into the care of paramedics.
Investigation under way
Hampshire Police said officers attended the scene and liaised with the Air Accident Investigation Branch. A spokesperson for the force said: 'We were called to reports of a collision at Popham Airfield involving a single light aircraft which had overturned.'
'The pilot, a man aged in his 60s, has sustained serious and potentially life-threatening and life-changing injuries. He has been taken to hospital for treatment. Officers have attended the scene and have liaised with the Air Accident Investigation Branch.'
Airfield closed
Firefighters made the aircraft safe before handing the scene over to police to manage. Fire engines have since begun to depart and return to station.
A notice on Popham Airfield's website states that both runways are closed 'until further notice'.
