Probe into plane crash near Chelmsford reservoir continues

Investigations into a small aircraft that crashed into a reservoir have been continuing.

Essex Police remained at the scene at Hanningfield Reservoir, near Chelmsford, where the aircraft was seen entering the water on Sunday shortly after 14:00 GMT.

The force has not released any information about casualties, but said it continued to respond to the incident along with investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The nature reserve remained closed with a police cordon in place around its entrance.

The plane was understood to have taken off from North Weald and had been bound for Southend Airport.

It crashed about an hour and a half after taking off.

Richard Elkins, who lives near the site, said he first knew something had happened on Sunday when he heard sirens from his home.

“We didn’t go out because by then it was starting to get dark… there was one fire engine, then a couple more, then the ambulance was coming and the helicopter flying overhead,” he told BBC Look East.

“Everything was blocked off so it wasn’t a case of going to see what had happened.”

He added: “It’s very sad to think that a plane had come down… other than that we didn’t know anything.”

Flowers have been left on a fence near the reservoir and people are being urged to avoid the area.

Ch Supt Waheed Khan said on Monday the investigation was still in its early stages and anyone with CCTV, dashcam or other footage was urged to get in touch.

The AAIB similarly confirmed it was investigating and its inspectors were on site.

Hanningfield Reservoir, which is between Chelmsford, Billericay and Wickford, is owned and operated by Essex and Suffolk Water. It has a surface area of 870 acres (352 hectares).