By Emily Caulkett-
An urgent probe has been opened into a light airplane crash in east London which left a man fighting for his life with serious injuries.
The man was said to be “lucky to be alive” by witnesses after the plane came down near Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster on Tuesday.
A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a light aircraft crashed near the Essex border “shortly after take-off” today.
Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene of the incident at the Damyns Hall Aerodrome on Aveley Road in Upminster after 12pm today , yesterday(April 4)
A woman who was in the plane suffered minor injuries, while the man’s have been described as “potentially life-threatening or life-changing”.
The plane landed in a bush next to a fishing pond.
Havering Met Police tweeted: “We were called at 12.12hrs today to reports of a light aircraft that crashed shortly after take-off, in the area of Aveley Road in Upminster.
“Despite initial reports of no serious injuries, the man has been taken to hospital with potentially life-changing or life-threatening injuries.”
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attempted to release the man trapped in the aircraft.
Station Commander Jeremy Davies, who was at the scene, added: “Firefighters worked with partners to release a man and a woman trapped inside a lightweight aircraft in woodland near the aerodrome.
“They were both taken to hospital by road and air ambulance crews.”
The identity of the hospitalised man has not yet been revealed.