LONDON - Britain's Royal Air Force says there has been an incident involving a Hawk jet at a base in north Wales, and the ambulance service says a plane has crashed.

The Hawk is the type used by the Red Arrows, the air force's aerobatic display team.

The Welsh Ambulance Service says it was called Tuesday afternoon "to reports an aircraft had crashed" at the RAF Valley base near Holyhead.

The air force says in a statement that "we are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The Red Arrows' single-engine jet trainers are a familiar sight at air shows and military events.</s>Have your say

An RAF engineer died when a Red Arrows Hawk jet crashed following an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales.

Eyewitness described seeing a “big fireball” after the jet crashed this afternoon.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed a Hawk aircraft was involved in the accident at the Anglesey base where pilots and aircrew are trained.

Group captain Nick Tucker-Lowe said in a statement: “It’s with great sadness that the RAF can confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF aerobatics team The Red Arrows in a tragic accident today.

“The engineer’s family have been informed and have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released.

“The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.”

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time.”

Onlookers had reported seeing someone eject from the aircraft before it hit the ground.

Caterer Anne Wilson works at The Anglesey Golf Club, situated at the end of the runway at RAF Valley, and saw the aftermath of the crash.

The 52-year-old said: “I did not see the crash, but I heard a very loud noise. We are used to the planes going over, but this was unusual.

“I did go and have a look and there was a big fireball and lots of smoke ... quite a few of the members actually saw it.

“They said the plane came in quite steeply and saw a pilot eject, but that it was very low to the ground when they ejected.”

Sian Rebecca Williams, an 18-year-old student from Rhosneigr, north Wales, said she was waiting at Rhosneigr train station when the jet flew overhead.

“The Red Arrow came over and because I’d hardly seen one before I thought ‘wow, it’s out’,” she said.

“From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

“As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

“Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere.”

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage “instantly”, she said, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust confirmed an emergency ambulance and an air ambulance were sent to the scene after they were called at 1:30pm.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and fly the distinctive Hawk-fast jets.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft..

“We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

READ MORE: Climber lost footing before plunging to his death from Fife cliff, inquest hears</s>An RAF engineer was killed on Tuesday when a Red Arrows jet crashed shortly after take-off at RAF Valley in north Wales.

The pilot survived the crash and is believed to have ejected seconds before the Hawk aircraft hit the ground at the base in Anglesey, bursting into a ball of flames.

 A plume of black smoke could be seen billowing over the base as witnesses described seeing the aircraft bank sharply and appear to loop before hurtling to the ground.

 It was the third Red Arrows fatality in seven years following two in 2011. All three have involved the Hawk T1, an ageing model due to be replaced by 2030.

 Last month, ejector seat manufacturer Martin-Baker Aircraft Company was fined £1.1 million after a breach of health and safety law led to the death of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham.

 Several witnesses to yesterday’s crash, which occurred shortly after the plane took off at around 1.30pm, described seeing only one person eject from the aircraft. If the engineer did not eject, the investigation is likely to focus on why that did not happen.

 Prior to the crash, the team had completed routine training at RAF Valley and was headed back to the Red Arrows base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Onlookers described seeing the jet appear to loop before banking steeply and hitting the runway, transforming into a fireball.

Many saw one multi-coloured parachute emerge some 200 yards from the ground.

Unconfirmed reports suggested it was Red 3, whose pilot is 35-year-old David Stark, one of the Red Arrows new recruits.

Rob Jones, manager of nearby Anglesey golf club, said: “I heard an almighty bang. It sounded like a cannon going off – I don’t know if that’s from the ejector seat – but some of the golfers saw a parachute.

“I went to the door and all I could see was plumes of black smoke coming up.”

Peter Glover, 66, from Stockport, said: “There was a huge bang. The ground shook.

“It just hit the ground in a massive black ball and it set on fire.”

Sian Williams, 18, who was watching from nearby Rhosneigr train station said: ““From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

“As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

“Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere.”

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage instantly, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

North Wales Police will lead a full investigation into the crash.

The RAF appealed to the public to send in any information or pictures of the incident, urging them not to share them on social media.

A spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that the MoD must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (the Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today.

“The serviceman’s family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.”

 Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, head of the RAF, said: “This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country. My deepest thoughts are with the friends and family of those involved at this terrible time.”

The Red Arrows had been training on RAF Valley’s flight simulators ahead of the forthcoming display season.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

All Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.

Flt Lt Stark joined the team late last year after passing a tough recruitment process and was undertaking seven months of training.

He was born in Geneva before moving to the UK, where he was educated at the independent Nottingham High School and joined the RAF in 2005. He said last year that it was his “childhood dream” to join the Red Arrows and that he could not wait to start. TGN</s>A Red Arrows engineer has died after a Red Arrows Hawk jet crashed at a base in North Wales.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm this afternoon, Tuesday, March 20 at the RAF Valley training base on Anglsey.

A spokesman has said that one RAF engineer died as a result on the crash.

The Ministry of Defence has issued a statement saying that the pilot of the plane survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.

A spokesperson for the MOD said: "It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (the Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today.

"The serviceman's family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

"The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care."

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, head of the RAF, said: "This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country.

"My deepest thoughts are with the friends and family of those involved at this terrible time."

It is understood the Red Arrows aircrew had been at the base for routine Hawk simulator training - something that takes place once a month.

They had just taken off from the base and were on their way back to RAF Scampton, where the aerobatic team are based, when the incident happened.

The Hawk fast jet was destroyed in the crash.

Police in North Wales have also released a statement this evening.

Chief Inspector Simon Barrasford at North Wales Police, who is leading the initial response, said: ‘The aircraft involved, a Red Arrows Hawk crewed by two RAF personnel, was reported to have crashed. Sadly I can confirm that one of the two personnel has died whilst his colleague is now being treated in hospital.

"Our thoughts are with both men’s families at this very difficult time.’

Officials say police and crime scene investigators supported by other specialists will now begin a joint and full investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch to establish what led up to and caused this tragic event. Until that time it would be inappropriate to add anything further. The Coroner for north west Wales will also be informed.

Chief Inspector Barrasford added: "North Wales Police are appealing for help from the public and local communities and so I’d ask if anyone sighted the Hawk aircraft this afternoon to contact North Wales Police via the live web chat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx or by phoning 101.”</s>Have your say

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales, the Ministry of Defence has said.

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales, the Ministry of Defence has said.

It is understood there were two people on board the Red Arrows jet aircraft which crashed on Tuesday.

"We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

"We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

North Wales Police confirmed they were in attendance and were called to the scene at around 1.50pm.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.</s>A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in North Wales.

It is understood there were two people on board the Red Arrows jet aircraft which crashed on Tuesday.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft.

"We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

North Wales Police and North Wales Fire Service confirmed they were called to the scene at around 1.50pm.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.</s>An RAF engineer has died after a Red Arrows jet crashed in a "big fireball" at the air force's fighter pilot training ground in north Wales.

The pilot of the Hawk fast jet survived the accident at RAF Valley in Anglesey on Tuesday afternoon and is now in hospital, authorities said.

Witnesses reported seeing someone eject from the aircraft with a parachute before it smashed into the ground then "burned bright orange".

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier offered his "deepest thoughts" to the engineer's family, adding: "This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country."

Caterer Anne Wilson, 52, who works at The Anglesey Golf Club, at the end of the RAF Valley runway, told the Press Association: "I did not see the crash but I heard a very loud noise - we are used to the planes going over but this was unusual.

"I did go and have a look and there was a big fireball and lots of smoke... quite a few of the members actually saw it.

"They said the plane came in quite steeply and saw a pilot eject, but that it was very low to the ground when they ejected."

It is understood the Red Arrows aircrew had been at RAF Valley for routine Hawk simulator training - something that takes place once a month.

They had just taken off from the base and were on their way back to RAF Scampton, where the aerobatic team are based, when the incident happened.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sent his "thoughts and prayers" to "the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time".

Sian Rebecca Williams, an 18-year-old student from Rhosneigr, north Wales, said she was waiting at Rhosneigr train station when the jet flew overhead.

"The Red Arrow came over and because I'd hardly seen one before I thought 'Wow, it's out'," she told the Press Association.

"From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

"As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

"Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere."

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage "instantly", she said, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will now begin a full investigation into what caused the accident, North Wales Police said.

Some 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley on Anglesey, which is also home to the military's search-and-rescue, post-crash team.

It is home to the No 4 Flying Training School which is "responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots", according to its website.</s>Have your say

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales.

“We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft,” a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

“We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

It is understood there were two people on board the jet.

READ MORE: Climber lost footing before plunging to his death from Fife cliff, inquest hears</s>Share this article with Google Plus

The Red Arrows engineer who died in a jet crash at an RAF base in Wales has been officially named.

Corporal Jonathan Bayliss was killed in the crash at the RAF Valley on Tuesday.

The pilot deployed his ejector seat and survived the crash.

In a statement, RAF group captain Nick Tucker-Lowe confirmed that the pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant David Stark, survived the crash.

He said: ‘It’s with great sadness that the RAF can confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF aerobatics team the Red Arrows in a tragic accident today.

‘The engineer’s family have been informed and have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released.

‘The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.’

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson added: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time.’

The aircraft, said to be Hawk ‘Red3’, went down in Holyhead at around 1.30pm.

It is understood there were two people on board the jet, both are said to have ejected before impact.

Photographs taken at the scene show plumes of black smoke rising into the air.</s>The Red Arrows jet crashed in the early afternoon at RAF Valley in Anglesey, north Wales
A Red Arrows jet crashes in North Wales, killing an engineer.