A UK airport has been shut after a freak plane crash during take-off left passengers and a pilot in hospital.

       Teesside Airport is closed "until further notice" after an incident on an aircraft led to three people being rushed to hospital.

       4

       A pilot and two passengers were rushed to hospital following an 'incident' on an aircraft during take-off 4

       Emergency services were called to out to an incident at Teesside airport at 9.39am Saturday morning

       A pilot and two passengers who were onboard the light aircraft have been taken to hospital - with one having to be airlifted out. One remains seriously injured.

       Emergency services were called out at 9.39am on Saturday following reports of an air-traffic incident at Teesside airport.

       Flights have been delayed while some are being diverted to land in Newcastle.

       Witnesses told how the plane soared to around 300 feet before banking sharply then plunging to the ground inside the airport perimeter.

       One witness, who doesn't want to be identified, said: "I heard the plane engine start to sputter, then looked up to see it bank left sharply.

       "The engine sounded like it was really struggling, then it just seemed to cut out.

       "It looked like the pilot managed to keep the plane fairly level as it started to come down, but then it just dropped rapidly, then I heard a thud behind the tree line.

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       "Thankfully there was no explosion or fire."

       Another reported hearing an "almighty bang", according the Northern Echo.

       "Heard the engine cut out and then heard an almighty bang. Many emergency service and air ambulance on scene. Hope all involved are ok," they told the paper.

       Rob Cherrie, a commander with the local fire service, told Teessside Live he believed the incident took place during take-off.

       Cherrie said: "A light aircraft had taken off with three individuals on board – two passengers and a pilot. It has come down and hit the ground.

       "We extricated them from the aircraft itself. One patient was taken by air ambulance to hospital. The two others were taken to hospital by road ambulance."

       He said the air accidents investigation branch will carry out a full investigation.

       This comes as the BBC alleges the plane crashed on takeoff.

       "Three people have been taken to hospital after a light aircraft crashed on takeoff at #Teesside Airport. Flights are being diverted to

       @NCLairport," a reporter tweeted.

       A statement from the airport said: "Our runway will remain closed until further notice while a thorough investigation is carried out."

       They confirm a pilot and two passenger were evacuated from the aircraft and rushed to hospital.

       A statement on its website reads: "We can confirm an incident occurred today involving a light aircraft at 9.39am.

       "A pilot and two passengers were onboard and have been taken to hospital.

       "Our runway will remain closed until further notice while a thorough investigation is carried out."

       It added: "We would like to thank the emergency services, on site staff for their quick response."

       According to the air ambulance service, a helicopter "got to the scene quickly" with a doctor and a paramedic on board.

       A spokesperson for the service said: "We had a doctor and paramedic on board, and we got to the scene quickly from our base in Eaglescliffe".

       Police, fire, paramedics and the Great North Air Ambulance are at the scene.

       Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said his "thoughts and prayers" were with the three people onboard at the time of the incident and their families.

       He added: "At this time I want to thank the incredible response by the airport fire service and the immediate response of local emergency services to the incident."

       Durham Constabulary said it will release information "in due course".

       4

       Eyewitnesses recall hearing an 'almighty bang' moments after take-off 4

       Teesside airport said it was closing 'until further notice'

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