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Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Shocking moment Spitfire ‘practising for VE Day event' crash lands in field as bystanders left stunned
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment a Spitfire crash landed in a field while "practising for a VE Day event". The World War II fighter aircraft made the emergency landing in a farmer's crop field in West Hythe, Kent, at around 7pm yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 A World War II Spitfire crash landed in a field in Kent while 'practising for a VE Day event' Credit: UKNIP 6 Video footage shows the aircraft lying in the field, with someone standing next to it Credit: UKNIP 6 The video also showed other aircraft above the field which were reportedly flying with the Spitfire before it crashed Credit: UKNIP Fire crews, paramedics, and police rushed to the crash site, with photos showing the historic Spitfire resting among the crops as emergency crews secured the area. Miraculously, the pilot and passenger managed to walk away unhurt from the disaster. One witness described the shocking scene, saying: "We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling, which we thought was unusual — maybe practising for a VE Day ceremony. "We continued driving and then came across the plane that had just crash-landed. "The pilot and passenger were luckily out of the aircraft." She explained that bystanders had helped to quickly raise the alarm with the local farmer, ensuring that the field as accessed quickly. Witnesses also praised the pilot's apparent skill in avoiding a more serious crash. Firefighters confirmed they were called out to assist following the crash landing. A spokesperson for the fire service said two fire engines attended and that crews "helped to make the scene safe". They added one person was passed into the care of paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, and that crews left the scene shortly after 9pm. Moment Cessna plane makes an emergency landing at the famous Riviera Country Club The aircraft involved is understood to have seen action with the Royal Canadian Air Force's 441 Squadron, following its construction in 1943. Operating under the RAF during World War II, its first operational deployment was on September 25, 1944. It is believed to have been practising on Saturday for a VE Day flypast when it crash landed. The aircraft is also understood to belong to a Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, which has been contacted for comment. 6 Volunteers have also been spotted trying to protect the aircraft Credit: Splash 6 It was seen covered in blue and grey tarpaulin by crews Credit: Splash 6 Aviation authorities are expected to investigate the cause behind the crash Credit: UKNIP Aviation authorities are also expected to investigate the cause of the crash. Volunteers have also been spotted trying to protect the aircraft, covering it in blue and grey tarpaulin. VE Day, celebrated on May 8, marks the point at which World War II ended in Europe, with Nazi Germany signing an unconditional surrender. There will be a procession and flypast in London, as the Armed Forces display aircraft over The Mall and Buckingham Palace on Monday. The flypast is expected to take place at around 1.45pm and feature Lancaster bombers as well as a number of modern jets and the Red Arrows. While Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfires will not be in London on Monday, they will be doing flypasts over Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Shocking moment Spitfire ‘practising for VE Day event' crash lands in field as bystanders left stunned
THIS is the shocking moment a Spitfire crash landed in a field while "practising for a VE Day event". The World War II fighter aircraft made the emergency landing in a farmer's crop field in West Hythe, Kent, at around 7pm yesterday. 6 6 6 Fire crews, paramedics, and police rushed to the crash site, with photos showing the historic Spitfire resting among the crops as emergency crews secured the area. Miraculously, the pilot and passenger managed to walk away unhurt from the disaster. One witness described the shocking scene, saying: "We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling, which we thought was unusual — maybe practising for a VE Day ceremony. "We continued driving and then came across the plane that had just crash -landed. "The pilot and passenger were luckily out of the aircraft." She explained that bystanders had helped to quickly raise the alarm with the local farmer, ensuring that the field as accessed quickly. Witnesses also praised the pilot's apparent skill in avoiding a more serious crash. Firefighters confirmed they were called out to assist following the crash landing. A spokesperson for the fire service said two fire engines attended and that crews "helped to make the scene safe". They added one person was passed into the care of paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, and that crews left the scene shortly after 9pm. Moment Cessna plane makes an emergency landing at the famous Riviera Country Club The aircraft involved is understood to have seen action with the Royal Canadian Air Force's 441 Squadron, following its construction in 1943. Operating under the RAF during World War II, its first operational deployment was on September 25, 1944. It is believed to have been practising on Saturday for a VE Day flypast when it crash landed. The aircraft is also understood to belong to a Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, which has been contacted for comment. 6 6 6 Aviation authorities are also expected to investigate the cause of the crash. Volunteers have also been spotted trying to protect the aircraft, covering it in blue and grey tarpaulin. VE Day, celebrated on May 8, marks the point at which World War II ended in Europe, with Nazi Germany signing an unconditional surrender. There will be a procession and flypast in London, as the Armed Forces display aircraft over The Mall and Buckingham Palace on Monday. The flypast is expected to take place at around 1.45pm and feature Lancaster bombers as well as a number of modern jets and the Red Arrows.
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Horror moment Spitfire 'practicing flypast for VE Day celebrations' crashes into field
A Spitfire crashed into a farmer's field while reportedly practicing a flypast for a VE Day ceremony. Fire crews and paramedics were rushed to the scene after the historic aircraft plummeted from the sky and into crops in West Hythe, Kent. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it. An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling. 'Which we thought was unusual so thought perhaps they're practising for a VE-Day ceremony.' She went on explain how she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. The pilot and passenger had luckily made it out of the Spitfire, but bystanders had gathered to take a look at the damage and check to make sure everyone was safe. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. A spokesman for the fire service stated: 'We were called to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics.' Emergency crews reportedly left the scene just after 9pm. The iconic aircraft belonged to Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, Fly a Spitfire. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft in the vicinity of Hythe. 'We have spoken to the pilot who has advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information.' According to the local news site, the Spitfire was built in 1943 and entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. Its first operational sortie was flown on September 25, 1944.
