Huge emergency response after small plane crash lands on marshes near BAE Warton Aerodrome

The light aircraft ditched into the marshes behind the BAE site at around 3pm after reportedly suffering engine trouble.

Emergency services have confirmed there are no casualties and minimal damage to the aircraft.

Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene near Bank Lane, while an air ambulance has touched down at the crash site on the marsh.

The crew attended to the pilot and accompanied him to hospital in the back of an ambulance where he was checked over before being discharged.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Two fire engines from Lytham and Wesham attended an incident at 2.52pm.

“This involved a small aircraft on Bank Lane, Warton, in which there were no casualties and minimal damage to the aircraft.

“Fire crews remain in attendance making the scene safe and the incident is being handed over to the police and Air Accidents Investigation Branch.”

A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) added: “An incident involving a light aircraft which occurred near Warton was notified to the AAIB.

“Based on our understanding of the circumstances the AAIB will not be making any further enquiries.”

“Sounded like engine trouble”

A local plane spotter, who saw the plane moments before the crash, said: “Just watched a light aircraft struggle over the windmill, sounded like engine trouble, he seemed to go along the quays very low and turned sharp right, looks like he didn't make the airfield at Warton.”

A spokesperson for the air ambulance said: “We can confirm that the North West Air Ambulance Charity was called to an incident in Preston on November 5, Helimed 08 attended.

“The patient was treated and then our crew accompanied the patient to hospital in the back of an ambulance.”

Lancashire Police were approached for comment.