LAST UPDATE | 20 Jul 2022

THE PSNI HAS launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of two people in a light aircraft crash in Co Down last night.

Last night, emergency services rushed to Newtownards Airport following a 999 call at 8.21pm.

The Police Service of Northern Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that two people died.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the incident and said no patients were taken from the scene on the Portaferry Road in the town.

According to the PSNI, enquiries are being carried out on behalf of the local coroner.

In a statement tonight, the PSNI have said that they are carrying out an investigation into the incident alongside a separate investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The PSNI have also appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

“Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have any dash cam or other kind of footage, or any information which could assist us with our enquiries, to contact 101 and quote reference number 1932 of 19/07/22.”

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.21pm following reports of an incident on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards.

“NIAS despatched two emergency crews, a doctor and an ambulance officer to the incident,” it said.

Alliance Party councillor Vicky Moore lives near the airport and visited the scene following the crash.

“It is a huge shock to the community and obviously all our thoughts are with the families of those who have been affected and particularly those that have died in the accident,” Moore said.

“Really the airport here in Newtownards is part of the community, it is very busy, it has been a fixture in the town for a very, very long time,” she said.

“Local people are used to the activity at the airport and this will be a terrible shock to them.”

The councillor said she lives under the flight path around 10 to 15 minutes’ walk away from the airport.

“I was at the scene last night. Police were preventing anyone from getting access to the airport but you could see that a number of emergency vehicles were there,” she said.

“This is a very rare occurrence bearing in mind the amount of activity there is at the airport.

“It is mostly flying schools who use it, pleasure flying, small, independent and private aircraft use it.

“The airfield is so popular, it is not expected that something like this would happen.”

Updated by Tadgh McNally