THE plane that crashed near Beverley Airfield on Wednesday night – killing both people on board – took off from the Scottish Borders, it has emerged.

While it is not yet clear exactly where in the Borders it flew from, Humberside police are working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The light aircraft ditched one mile short of the runway, near to Leven in East Yorkshire.

Humberside police have issued a statement saying: "Two people who were in the plane sadly died in the crash which was called in to us around 7.30pm.

"Their families have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"An extensive multi-agency search was immediately launched across a large rural area to find the plane, which included numerous members of the public who offered their help.

"The plane was found in the corner of a field some distance away from the road.

"The aircraft was flying south from the Scottish Borders and came down near to the approach to the landing strip at Beverley Airfield.

"Information was passed on to us when the incident was first reported to indicate that the passenger and pilot were safe. As our search began and progressed, it became clear that, while this information had been provided with good intention, it was not correct.

"The AAIB Inspectors are on scene and our officers are supporting their investigation.

"We are appealing to anyone who might have any information regarding this to contact us on 101 quoting log 511 of 10/10/18."

The head of Humberside Police’s Special Operations Unit Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore who was Gold Commander for this incident said: "I would first like to pass on my sincere condolences to the families of the pilot and passenger involved in this tragic incident.

"A search for the aircraft by all emergency services was undertaken and co-ordinated through a specialist search team including air support from the Air Search Rescue team.

"It was a challenging environment in terms of the large rural location and under the hours of darkness.

"I would personally like to thank all the volunteers, local residents, and farmers who assisted us by initially calling us and helping on the ground. Your help was invaluable.

"As in these circumstances this has now been referred to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. We have trained investigators and other specialist resources who are supporting this."

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