Pilot dies in two-plane crash near Leicester Airport
- Published
A pilot died and two other men were injured when two light aircraft crashed in Leicestershire, police said.
The planes came down near Gartree Road in Great Stretton, near Leicester Airport - formerly known as Stoughton Aerodrome - at about 14:00 GMT.
The pilot of one of the planes died at the scene. Two men travelling in the other aircraft had minor injuries.
A police spokesman said initial reports suggested that the aircraft collided in the air.
'Died at scene'
The planes came down in the vicinity of Gartree Road, which has been sealed off to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident.
The spokesman said: "One of the aircraft contained one person, a man, who died at the scene.
"The second aircraft contained two men who both received minor injuries."
A representative of Leicestershire Aero Club, which is based at the airport, said she could not give any further information about what had happened.
Officers from the Leicestershire force have asked for any witnesses to the crash, which involved a red aircraft and a yellow biplane to contact them.
The red aircraft had just taken off from Leicester Airport and the biplane was due to land having taken off in the Nottingham area.
Det Insp Rob Widdowson, who is overseeing the investigation, said: "We would urge anyone who was in the area before 2pm to think back and contact us if they believe they may have seen either aircraft beforehand.
"Even the slightest detail could help with our inquiries.
"We are in the process of preparing a file for the coroner and the identification of the deceased will be a matter for the coroner."
Gartree Road has been closed off from Stoughton Road to Mere Road to enable emergency services to deal with the incident.
A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said the road would remain closed overnight and motorists were being advised to avoid the area.