Plane crash in Essex
A Beechcraft King Air plane has crashed in Essex Reuters

Two people have died after a light aircraft they were travelling in crashed in Essex. Police and other emergency services say that they were called to the scene in a field off Gravel Lane in Chigwell, Essex, shortly before 10.20am on Saturday 3 October.

A spokesman for Essex police said: "We now believe there to have been two people on board the light aircraft which crashed in the field off Gravel Lane in Chigwell. Sadly they both died.

"The scene has been cordoned off. There are various road closures in the local area affecting Abridge Road at the junction with Gravel Lane, Millers Lane, Lambourne Road and Pudding Lane. We would urge people not to attend the scene. Further updates will be given in due course."

The plane is believed to be a Beechcraft King Air plane owned by London Executive Aviation, and set off from nearby Stapleford Aerodrome. The fire service has sent two crews from Loughton and four foam tenders from Stansted, according to the BBC. The Herts Air Ambulance is at the scene.

A spokesman from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival crews reported that the aircraft was 100 per cent alight. Crews are wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire."

Road closures and diversions remain in place while emergency services work at the scene. An Essex Police spokesman has urged people not to attend the scene. A spokesman for Stapleford Aerodrome, around five miles from the crash, said the aircraft's route itinerary did not include its premises. An unidentified Waltham Abbey man who was at the scene told the BBC that the police confirmed the two fatalities, and that a pilot at Stapleford said the plane may have only been in the air 30 seconds.

A few people on social media also heard the plane crash including Keith Parker, who said on Twitter: "Plane crash Chigwell we heard [while] playing golf." Twitter user Laura Gilling also asked: "Anyone else in South essex just heard a Big Bang? Sounded like thunder but louder and not a cloud in the sky..."

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