RAF training aircraft crashes in Wales - two pilots injured after ejecting

Two RAF pilots are being treated for minor injuries after ejecting from a training aircraft that crashed in Wales.

The Hawk T2 aircraft had been flying out of the RAF Valley station on Anglesey when it plummeted to the ground in the nearby Pencarnisiog area.

"Two pilots are being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries and at this stage there are no reports of any wider damage or injuries," North Wales Police said.

The RAF said in an update on Wednesday evening: "Following an incident involving an RAF Hawk T2 aircraft today, both pilots are receiving medical treatment. Their families are being supported.

"The RAF has decided to temporarily pause Hawk T1 and T2 operations, as a precautionary measure, whilst investigations are ongoing."

A video of the incident shared on social media appears to show the pilots ejecting from the plane before it nosedives and crashes in a ball of flames.

Footage shows a plume of smoke and a blaze erupting as the aircraft hits the ground, appearing to narrowly miss residential properties.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had been brought under control. Ambulance and air ambulance crews were also in attendance.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in a post on X that his thoughts are "first and foremost with the pilots", adding more details will be "provided in due course".

The first minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said he was "very pleased and relieved" the pilots had not been "seriously injured" and wished the crew a "swift recovery".

Helen Jenner, leader of Reform UK in Wales and Member of the Senedd for Bangor Conwy Mon, said she was "deeply concerned" by the crash.

She added: "My thoughts are with the crew, their families and everyone at the base."

Police have asked the public to avoid the area until further notice.

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One eyewitness told North Wales Live he had seen the aircraft take off before the incident.

Pete Bennett said: "I knew straight away that it was in trouble - right on take-off there was an orange flame and as it accelerated it was basically on fire.

"As it gained altitude, the flame disappeared but it was clearly in trouble.

"It climbed at an aggressive pitch... It pitched twice violently in the air and then there were two clear loud bangs.

"The pilots ejected and both parachutes opened."

The Hawk T2 is described by the RAF as a "high-performance, two-seat training jet" designed to "simulate front-line combat aircraft like the Typhoon".

The aircraft is used in training to prepare pilots for complex tactical environments.

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