Royal Navy Hawk jet reportedly crashes during training exercise near RNAS Culdrose

The incident involved a Hawk T1 training jet and took place in Cornwall this morning.

The Ministry of Defence said the two pilots were being checked by medics after ejecting from the plane near Helston.

The crew are members of the 736 Naval Air Squadron and were on a flight from RNAS Culdrose, which is based on the Lizard peninsula near Helston.

An MoD spokesman said: ‘Two pilots are being checked by medics after ejecting from a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron during a flight from RNAS Culdrose.

‘An investigation will begin in due course. We won't be providing further detail at this time.’

One eyewitness, who saw the crash, claimed the jet had flown low over a nearby housing estate before it impacted the ground.

‘I saw the plane fly low over our house and then there was a crack as the two pilots ejected, parachutes open,’ the witness told The Sun newspaper.

‘Plane then banked left and crashed in a nearby field. Just hope no one was hurt.’

In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Emergency services are currently in the St Martins area of Helston following reports of a plane crash," a force spokesman said.

‘Public are asked to avoid the area whilst first responders attend the scene.

‘Two people have been treated by ambulance at the scene and will now be taken to hospital.

‘Their injuries are not currently thought to be life-threatening or changing.’

The BAE Systems Hawk Mk1 twin-seat jet is used as in training to help simulate ship attacks and interception.

In recent days the navy has carried out a number of air defence war games involving Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon.

The tests took place off the coast of Plymouth and involved the warship defending the city against fictional fast-air attack.

Similar jets are used by the famed Red Arrows military flying team.

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