Cornwall air crash: Royal Navy jet crash probe under way

Investigators remain at the crash site on the Lizard Peninsula

Investigations are continuing after a Royal Navy Hawk T1 jet crashed in woodland in Cornwall.

Two pilots ejected from the two-seater aircraft and both are in a stable condition after being airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Emergency services were called to the St Martin area on the Lizard Peninsula on Thursday morning.

The RAF and Royal Navy have paused flying of all Hawk T1 jets - including the Red Arrows - following the crash.

Wreckage is shown where the jet ploughed into the woodland north of the village of St Martin

The MoD said the pause in operations was a "precautionary measure while investigations were ongoing".

The Environment Agency said about 360 gallons (1,645 litres) of aviation fuel had leaked from the aircraft in the crash.

It had been sprayed with foam to reduce the risk of fire.

The MoD has paused operations of its T1 jets, including the Red Arrows

The aircraft was from the 736 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose.

A base spokesman confirmed both pilots remain in hospital but are not seriously injured.

RNAS Culdrose commanding officer Capt Stuart Finn thanked the emergency services for their "outstanding response".

He said: "Their swift actions and the highly professional attitude of all those involved is deeply appreciated.

"As an air station, we have also been heartened by the many messages of support from members of the public for the two pilots."

Eyewitness David Hoskin, a farmer, said he heard an "unbelievable bang" and saw two people ejecting from the plane.

He found the two men "in fairly good spirits" and "chatting" in a field near the crash scene.

A discarded helmet at the scene of the crash near St Martin

On Thursday, Defence Minister Johnny Mercer said engine failure was suspected.

Ejection seat manufacturer Martin-Baker said it was the first Royal Navy ejection in 18 years.