A PLANE has crashed into the sea at a popular beach as emergency services swarm the scene.
It is believed the light aircraft went down in the sea off the coast of Lee-on-the-Solent, in Hampshire, this afternoon.
The Coastguard, Air Ambulance, and fire service were called to the scene.
No details have yet been confirmed about injuries, with local reports suggesting a pilot was pulled from the wreck.
Local witness Ellie Chapman told the DailyEcho: “I was by the beach looking at the free books when I heard a loud crashing sound from the rocks.
“When I turned around, the plane was already in the water, with the tail briefly lifted before it dropped down, suggesting it had gone in nose first.
“I saw the pilot crawl out into the water, and people helped him onto the rocks.”
Councillor Stevyn Ricketts added: “I was out in my ward of Leon Solent today and could hear all the emergency sirens going off across the town.
“I headed to the seafront and saw the damage luckily the pilot got out unscathed and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee while the emergency services dealt with the incident.
“Just 30 minutes before the plane crash I was walking along exactly where it came down so I’m very glad nobody else was injured as it was busy due to the nice weather.
“Eyewitnesses told me that the plane was coming down very low before it crashed.
“Police put a cordon in place and Hampshire fire winched the plane up the beach.
“As a local councillor, I want to say a big thank you to the emergency services for their quick response.”
Fellow councillor, Graham Burgess, said: “I’m aware that a plane crashed just a few feet from the shingle on the waterfront.
“I understand and am very grateful to hear that the pilot got out okay. The pictures are very shocking.
“It only appears to be a small light plane and I’m not sure what airfield the plane was attempting to get too.
“The plane does not appear to be too damaged so it makes you wonder how such a crash has occurred.”
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