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

Two RAF pilots are being treated for minor injuries but are "doing well" after ejecting from a training aircraft in Wales.

The Hawk T2 was flying out of RAF Valley on Anglesey when it plummeted to the ground in the nearby Pencarnisiog area on Wednesday.

Police said there were no reports of any wider damage or injuries.

In a statement on Thursday, the RAF said: "Both pilots are doing well, they are in extremely good spirits and expected to make a full recovery."

Hawk T1 and T2 operations have been paused as a precaution while investigations take place.

A video on social media showed the pilots ejecting before the Hawk nosedives and crashes in a ball of flames.

The aircraft appeared 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 called to the scene.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said his thoughts were "first and foremost with the pilots".

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, said she was "deeply concerned" by the crash.

Police 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.

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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