CARFEST TURNED INTO CRASHFEST IN ENGLAND, 1 PILOT DIES IN FIERY NOSEDIVING COLLISION WITH THE GROUND

Pilot dies in plane crash at CarFest in Oulton Park, Cheshire

There has been a 'serious air incident' at the three-day event, hosted by Chris Evans

By Camilla Turner, and Nicola Harley

5:45PM BST 01 Aug 2015

• Pilot confirmed dead in plane crash at CarFest
• Event organisers announce 'serious air incident' has taken plance
• Two air ambulances and police attend the scene • Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates

18.10

The pilot who died in the crash has been named as Kevin Whyman.

17.40

Beverley Turner, a feature write for The Telegraph and presenter at CarFest, drecribed what happened.
There was a crowd of about 30,000 people, all looking up the sky. About three or four minutes into the display, the plane went on its side before going down. It continued to go down, and then it went down behind the trees.
There was a grey plume of smoke that appeared above the trees. Then everyone was looking at each other – there was confusion about what had happened.
The aviation commentator announced that something has gone wrong, that there had been an incident that should not have happened.
Chris Evans' track show in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car was meant to start after the air display. He was on the tracks getting ready when the plane went down. He cancelled it and went to find out what had happened.

17.23

CarFest said in a statement: "An aircraft flying with the Gnat Display Team came down approximately one mile north of the site. The pilot has been confirmed as a fatality. We do not believe that any other person has been harmed in the incident.
"We are working very closely with the police, emergency services and all relevant authorities. We have helpfully received images and footage captured by those close to the site, which will aid with the police investigation.
"Should anyone else have similar photo or video footage, they are asked to keep hold of it in case the authorities request further information.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the pilot and all those affected at this time."

17.20

Chris Evans said: "There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life."

The visibly-upset presenter added: "Our condolences go out to his family who have been informed.
"The police have also advised us that the best thing and the safest thing to do is to carry on with the event bearing in mind that there are 10,000 children here - and that is what we are going to do."
He said it would be "completely inappropriate" to speculate on how the accident happened. Evans said he would give a tribute to the pilot at a later point.

17.18

Cheshire Fire and Rescue said firefighters found scattered wreckage on arrival at the scene.
A spokesperson said: "Shortly after 2pm today the Service received reports of a plane having crashed in a wooded area near the CarFest site at Oulton Park near Park Road, Tarporley.
"Fire engines from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Winsford and Kuntsford were initially sent to the scene.
"On arrival firefighters found scattered wreckage and smouldering fires and initially used foam jets to tackle them.
"The Service's Medical Director also attended the scene and crews then used water to damp down hot spots.
"Staff then worked with police colleagues to preserve the scene and the attendance was reduced to one fire engine."

17.14

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is sending a team to the crash site.
A spokesman said: "AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site."

17.06

Emergency services say their thoughts are with the pilots family.

17.00

A pilot died when a plane performing a stunt in an aerial display crashed at CarFest in Oulton Park, Cheshire, event founder Chris Evans said.

16.50

West Midlands Emergency Alerts has tweeted some more pictures of the crash and its aftermath.

16.20

This map shows where the plane crash took place, at Oulton park in Cheshire.

16.05

The plane crash took place at 2pm on Saturday, during The Gnat Display.
The Gnat Display Team is owned by Heritage Aircraft Limited, which is the trading arm of the The Heritage Aircraft Trust, a charity dedicated to the restoration and conservation of classic historic aircraft.
On The Gnat Display Team's Facebook page, they say:
Welcome to the home of the Gnat Display Team, the only civilian supersonic jet aerobatic display team in the world!

16.05

Chris Evans photographed moments before the fatal plane crash at CarFest.
^{Chris Evans at CarFest (wenn.com)}

15.55

West Midlands Emergency Alerts tweeted that the pilot has ejected. Still no news of casualties.

15.55

This video appears to show footage of the plane crash.

15.46

North West Air Ambulance said that two of their ambulances were dispatched to the incident.

15.45

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said:
Shortly after 2pm we received reports of a plane having crashed in a wooded area near the CarFest North site.
Officers are currently at the scene working to find out what has happened.
The incident is in a very early stage and more details will be released when they become available.

15.40

The organisers of CarFest said in a statement:
There has been a serious air incident outside the site of CarFest North, Oulton Park, Cheshire during an air display at around 14:00 today. The emergency services are in attendance and the air accident services have been notified.
The event is continuing and more information will be released when it becomes available. No further comment will be made at this time.

15.30

A display plane has crashed at a car festival in Oulton Park, the event's creator has announced.
Chris Evans, the Radio 1DJ and new Top Gear host, who launched CarFest said that a "serious air incident" had taken place.

CarFest is three-day family event combining classic cars, food and music, which raises money for BBC Children in Need.
People attending CarFest 2015 at the Cheshire race track have tweeted pictures of smoke at the scene.

According to reports from the festival, the plane had been taking part in a display when it crashed.


This is a video of the display, moments before the crash.

Emergence services were called to the scene. There is no information yet of any injuries or the type of plane involved.
Mark Dowling, a journalist at the Chester Chronicle saw the crash.
He said: "There were two aircraft in the sky doing a dual display.
"I thought one of them appeared to be a bit low. It was upside down when I saw it go behind some trees, then suddenly there was a huge smoke cloud and flames.
"There was a gasp from the crowd. People are really worried, hoping that the pilot managed to eject.
"It looked like the plane landed in a field about half a mile north of the circuit." 

SOURCE:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/11777904/Reports-of-plane-crash-at-Cheshire-car-festival.html