Tragedy struck near Rochdale as two men lost their lives in a light aircraft crash on Tuesday. The plane, identified as a Cirrus SR20, went down on farmland close to the M62 in Littleborough around 11 am after taking off from Birmingham earlier that morning. Heartbreaking news from Greater Manchester Police confirmed there were no other passengers on board and thankfully no injuries on the ground.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis expressed the profound sadness of the incident, saying his thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends. The aircraft is known for its emergency parachute system, and a photo circulating online shows a parachute caught in a nearby pylon.
Flight data reveals the single-engine plane began losing altitude shortly after take-off, leading to the crash near the picturesque South Pennines. Responders quickly arrived on the scene to ascertain the details and ensure safety, urging the public to avoid the area while investigations are underway.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a full investigation, dispatching a team to get to the bottom of what happened. Officials and community members are left reeling as they process this devastating event. Stay safe and vigilant as more updates emerge on this unfolding story.