Pilot Survives When The Hawk Jet Went Down At RAF Valley

An RAF airman has been fatally injured in an accident involving one of the Red Arrows Demonstration Team's Hawk jets.

The U.K. newspaper The Daily Post reports that the airplane went down at RAF Valley Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m. local time. The engineer aboard the aircraft was fatally injured, while the pilot survived and was taken to a hospital.

"It is with great sadness that the Royal Air Force must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (The Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today," RAF Valley Station Commander, Group Captain Nick Tucker-Lowe said in a statement.

“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.”

A witness said that the airplane banked shortly after takeoff and went down. One person was observed ejecting from the airplane.

The Guardian newspaper reports that the airplane was departing for the Red Arrows base at RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire after participating in simulation training on the Wales coast for the upcoming display season.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report, Original report