"Many Photos" - Pilot is killed when light aircraft crashes in field near small private airstrip

A male pilot aged in his 50s has been killed after a light aircraft crashed in a field.

Emergency services were called shortly before 12pm today to 'reports of a light aircraft in distress' at Belchamp Walter, on the Suffolk border.  

Eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene as well as an air ambulance and several paramedics.

A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told Essex Live he saw an aircraft 'crash into the field'.

An officer stands over what appears to be the plane wreckage at the scene of the crash 

Police set up a cordon in the village of Belchamp Walter, where a pilot has been killed

'I saw an aircraft of some sort crash into the field. I'm not sure if it was a micro blade or a light aircraft,' he explained.

Another witness added: 'We were driving back from Sudbury and saw fumes and smoke.' 

A dog walker added: 'We were driving back from Sudbury and saw fumes and smoke. We thought that's a big bonfire. Then we heard about the crash.' 

A local resident said Waits Farm UK Airfield, operated by a local family, was very close to the crash site.

The crash site is also about five miles from Ridgewell Airfield, the home of Essex Gliding Club. 

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Waits Farm has a private airstrip and they are regularly flying planes. It might have been one of their planes'.

A man who answered the phone at Waits Farm declined to comment.

Essex Police said in a statement: 'We were called to reports of a light aircraft in distress at Belchamp Walter just before 11.50am on February 3.

Pictured: Police at the scene today. Officers have informed the man's next of kin of his death

The incident happened shortly before 12pm today and eight fire engines have been called to the site as well as several police officers

The crash site is thought to be located in a field to the rear of the Belchamp Walter Village Hall, off North Road, which has been cordoned off by police

'Officers attended and, sadly, a man aged in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. 

'We will be maintaining a presence at the scene over the coming days to assist the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in their enquiries.'

The crash site is thought to be located in a field to the rear of the Belchamp Walter Village Hall, off North Road, which has been cordoned off by police. 

It is understood there is a small private landing strip close to the area of the incident. Pictured is an officer at the scene today 

Essex Police have described the on-going event in Belchamp Walter, near Sudbury on the Essex-Suffolk border as 'serious'. Police pictured setting up a cordon in the area 

Police have set up a cordon and uniformed officers are at the entrance points to the field where the crash happened, according to Jane Walker, the chairman of Belchamp Walter Parish Council.

The area is largely farmland, with scattered woods and the villages of perhaps no more than about 600 people.

Mrs Walker, who saw an air ambulance land at the site, said: 'It is really out of the usual and I think it took a lot of people out of the blue.

'Our feelings go out to the poor man who has died and his family. Our condolences are with them.'

She said there has been the 'initial shock' of the tragedy which has been followed by a 'good' community spirit as local people tried to help.

The village hall has been used as a staging centre where hot drinks have been available for the emergency workers who attended the scene.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch spokesman said it is 'aware of an incident and have deployed a team'.  

It is believed that police will be maintaining a presence in the hall and using it as an incident room to coordinate a response to the crash. 

An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene as well as 'several' ambulance crews from East of England Ambulance Service.  

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said they sent five fire engines to the scene while another three have been sent from the Suffolk brigade. 

Police at the scene of an 'aircraft incident' in Belchamp Walter, close to Sudbury on the Suffolk and Essex border

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News Photo Pilot is killed when light aircraft crashes in field near small private airstrip
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