Belfast plane crash: Two dead after light aircraft comes down near airport

Two people have been confirmed dead after a light aircraft crashed close to Belfast Airport.

Paramedics, firefighters, an air ambulance and police rushed to the site of the crash, a three miles from the airport, after the plane crashed before bursting into flames.

The ambulance service reported that no patients were taken from the scene in Co Antrim area.

But police later confirmed that two people had been killed in the incident.

A PSNI statement said: "Police can confirm that two people have died following a light aircraft crash near Nutts Corner, Crumlin, this afternoon, Thursday, 19 April."

The incident happened close to a wooded area shortly after midday on Thursday.

An airport spokeswoman said the aircraft was not operating to or from there.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a major incident after receiving a call to say the plane had come down at around 12.23.

“NIAS implemented its major incident protocols in response to this incident and one rapid response paramedic, three emergency ambulance crews and four officers were dispatched to the incident,” a spokeswoman said.

"The charity air ambulance was also tasked. No patients were taken from the scene and the major incident was stood down at 12:49."

Newtownards airport, where the Ulster Flying Club is based, said it would make no comment.