A pilot has tragically died following a plane crash in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, prompting emergency services to urge the public to avoid the area while investigations continue.
The single-engine plane came down on Sheepbridge Lane, located to the north of Chesterfield, near the A61, earlier today. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed in the crash. His family has been notified of the tragic incident.
In a statement, Derbyshire Police said: “Emergency services were called to land off Sheepbridge Lane, in Sheepbridge, Chesterfield, earlier today (Sunday 1 September). An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. The pilot was the only person on board and died in the collision. His family has been informed.
Sheepbridge Lane, primarily an industrial estate area surrounded by farmland, woodland, and a rugby club, has been cordoned off, with roads in the immediate vicinity closed to the public. Authorities have stated that the roads will remain shut for some time as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to the incident at 09:05 am, deploying fire crews from Chesterfield, Clay Cross, and Staveley fire stations. A spokesperson for the service said, “Colleagues from Derbyshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service are also in attendance. People are asked to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident.
Additional details about the flight have emerged from the plane tracking website Flightradar, which identified the aircraft as a privately owned Evektor SportStar, built-in 2022. The last signal from the plane was received at 8:03 UTC when it was flying over Sheepbridge at an altitude of 600 feet.
Emergency services have been working on-site throughout the day, and while Derbyshire Fire and Rescue have since left, Derbyshire Police continue to manage the scene. The public is advised to steer clear of the area to allow authorities to carry out their work.
As the investigation unfolds, further updates are expected to be provided by Derbyshire Police and other involved agencies.
