14/07/2006

Harrier pilot escapes fireball crash

An RAF pilot has escaped injury after he was forced to eject from his Harrier jump jet seconds before it plunged onto the A4260 near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, yesterday.

Eye witnesses said that the it looked as though the pilot had stayed with the plane until the last seconds in an effort to avoid a built-up area and a hotel.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that the pilot from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland had ejected safely, although he had sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for a check-up.

The aircraft hit the edge of the roadway causing a fireball which scattered debris over a wide area.

Several cars were reported to have been hit by debris and an off-duty policeman in one of the vehicles was treated for minor injuries caused by flying glass.

The aircraft was en route to the Royal International Air Tattoo to be held at RAF Fairford Gloustershire at the weekend.

Thames Valley Police said that the section of the A4260 near Tackley would remained closed on Friday while air accident investigators examined the scene and wreckage was removed from the area.

(SP/EF)

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