Plane crashes into woods near pub leaving ‘husband and wife’ stuck 40ft up in a tree

A small plane crashed into woods near a pub and left the pilot and passenger stuck 40ft up in a tree. 

Fire engines and rescue teams were called after the light craft came down in woodland near Rochester Airport in Chatham, Kent.

Witnesses said the plane got stuck in the canopy of a tree with two people – who were thought to be husband and wife, and are not believed to have been injured – on board.   

Pub landlord Andy Selby, 53, who was in the shower when the plane crash, told KentOnline: ‘I heard all the commotion; there was a plane and then there was a helicopter which came over.

Fire engines and rescue teams were called after the light craft came down in woodland near Rochester Airport in Chatham, Kent

‘It’s a husband and wife who are currently stuck 40ft up in the air. The police think they might have hit some turbulence which led them to lose control.’

Police closed the road leading to the crash site while HM Coastguard were called to safely bring the passengers down. 

A spokesman for Kent Police said: ‘Kent Police was called at 11am to a report of a light aircraft collision in Common Road, Chatham. The plane is reported to have come to a stop inside a wooded area.

Witnesses said the plane got stuck in the canopy of a three with two people – who are not believed to have been injured – on board

‘Officers are at the scene along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service. Two people are reported to be inside the plane.

‘Emergency services are working together to ensure those inside the plane are brought to safety. No injuries are believed to have been reported.’

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘Kent Fire and Rescue Service is currently at the scene of a light aircraft crash on Common Road in Chatham.

Police closed the road leading to the crash site while HM Coastguard were called to safely bring the passengers down

‘Engines, an all-terrain-unit, and KFRS’ technical rescue team has been sent to the scene.

‘Crews are working alongside partner agencies to rescue two people from the aircraft.’

South East Coast Ambulance Service said: ‘Our crews are working with emergency service colleagues to rescue two people from the aircraft. No injuries have been reported.’

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation.