A major incident has been declared at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon this morning (Friday, June 26) as dozens of emergency service vehicles swarm the scene. Unconfirmed reports suggest a plane may have crashed, but authorities have not yet verified this.
Multiple fire brigades, police cars, and ambulances have been spotted at the airfield. An air ambulance arrived earlier and departed shortly after. Local residents have reported hearing a loud noise, but official confirmation is pending.
Emergency Response Details
The incident was declared a major incident by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, who are coordinating with Devon and Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service. The airfield has been closed to all traffic, and the public is advised to avoid the area.
According to a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police, "We are currently dealing with an incident at Dunkeswell Airfield. Emergency services are in attendance, and we ask the public to avoid the area until further notice."
Unconfirmed Reports and Ongoing Investigation
While initial reports from local residents indicate a possible aircraft crash, this has not been officially confirmed. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and is expected to attend the scene.
Witness Teressa Sidnell described seeing "a large number of emergency vehicles rushing to the airfield. There was a lot of smoke visible." The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Community Impact and Advice
Local roads around Dunkeswell have been closed, and residents are being asked to stay indoors. The airfield is a popular site for light aircraft and gliders, but no information on the number of people involved has been released.
This is a breaking news story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available. For the latest, follow local news outlets or sign up for emergency alerts.
