Man dies after private plane crashes at Imperial War Museum airfield in Duxford

A man in his 50s has died after a private plane crashed at the Imperial War Museum airfield in Duxford.

The incident happened shortly after 1.40pm yesterday at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. 

East of England Ambulance Service have confirmed that a man died at the scene, but no one else was on board the plane at the time of the incident. 

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 1.40pm on Tuesday with reports that an aircraft had crashed at Duxford Airfield.

'Two ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, three Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended the scene. 

'Sadly, despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.'

A spokesperson for Imperial War Museums Duxford said: 'We are sad to report that the pilot, a man in his 50s from the Bedfordshire area, did not survive the crash.

'Despite the best efforts of medical crews, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

'Cambridgeshire Police have informed next of kin, who attended the scene of the accident yesterday. The aircraft was a privately-owned General Aviation Cirrus SR22, based at Duxford. There were no other passengers.

'Police have now passed the investigation over to the Air Accident Investigation Branch, who remain on site at Duxford. IWM Duxford will be closed to the public on Wednesday and Thursday. We expect to reopen on Friday.'

It added: 'IWM Duxford will remain closed to visitors on Wednesday and Thursday. We are expecting to reopen to the public on Friday.' 

According to The Telegraph, a group of schoolchildren on a visit to the museum are understood to have witnessed the crash. 

Eyewitness Kate Moore was at Duxford with her husband when the plane crashed. 'While we were outside, we heard a bang and turned to see plumes of smoke,' she said. 

'We were a long way away and many others there hadn't an idea anything had occurred. I only saw the crash post-impact.'