The pilot of a light aircraft has been seriously injured in a crash at an event being held at the site of a First World War-era aerodrome.
Essex Police said one person had been injured in the incident at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in Maldon shortly before 2.25pm on Sunday.
In a statement, the aerodrome said one of the aircraft involved in a display by the Turbulent team was damaged, the pilot was injured, and the air show was halted.
It added that it was co-operating with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and emergency services.
In a post on Facebook, the aerodrome said the injured pilot had been taken to a London hospital.
The site has been closed to the public.
An Essex Police spokesman said: “The sole occupant of the aircraft has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.”
“We are co-operating with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and emergency services and the site is currently closed to the public,” a spokesman for the Essex venue said.
Moments before the pilot was seriously injured in a crash at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
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PA
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics were in attendance.
Police said no other injuries had been reported.
The police spokesman added: “Those attending the event are urged to follow the instructions of organisers and emergency service personnel.
“The public are asked to please avoid the area to allow responders the space to work at the scene.”
The pilot of a light aircraft has been seriously injured in a crash at an event being held at the site of a First World War-era aerodrome
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GETTY
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said it was aware of the incident.
They said: “The AAIB have been made aware of an incident at an airshow near Chelmsford, and will deploy an inspector to undertake an initial assessment.
“Next steps on a further investigation will be communicated next week.”
The air show was advertised as a “festival of aviation” to raise funds for the on-site First World War military aviation museum, according to its website.
The Turbulent display team during a display moments before the pilot of the plane (top) was seriously injured
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The event was sold out.
In a Facebook post on August 7, the aerodrome said the show would feature a display from its Turbulent Team.
Pilots chased balloons and dropped flour bombs from the single-seat light aircraft.
The aerodrome houses the largest intact group of Royal Flying Corps (RFC) buildings from the First World War.
It played a “pivotal role” in Britain’s air defence during the first bombing raids, its website says.
The Turbulent Team’s website describes the French-designed aircraft, believed to have been first flown in 1953, as “little more than a flying motorbike”, weighing about 350lbs when empty.
Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, flew in the Druine Turbulent in 1959, becoming the first member of the royal family to fly a single-seat aircraft.