A LIGHT aircraft has crash-landed at Southend Airport.

The twin engine Piper Aztec plane, believed to be based at the airport but privately owned, came down at lunchtime.

It had a collapsed nose wheel on landing causing it to crash.

The ambulance service was called at about 1.05pm today.

Two adults and three children were onboard but no one was injured.

Two ambulances, an area manager and a hazardous area response team (HART) were dispatched to the incident.

Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “The initial 999 call we received stated a plane had crashed on the runway.

"Two adults and three children were assessed by ambulance staff and all five were uninjured and did not require hospital treatment.”

The runway was closed while it was recovered and a flight to Dublin and one to Jersey have been delayed.

Two private jets due to land were diverted to an alternative airfield.

DID YOU WITNESS THE INCIDENT? CALL THE ECHO ON 01702 321145.

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