A man who was in a plane and pinned down by its propeller after a crash could have “potentially life changing” injuries.
Emergency services were called near to Belhus Country Park yesterday (September 7) at 1.08pm after reports of a “light aircraft” that crashed.
The Metropolitan Police says it was called to Aveley Road, Upminster, although it’s understood from eyewitnesses the crash site was slightly further down near to the park.
In a new update, a spokesperson said his condition is not life-threatening, but potentially life changing.
Alex Sarzi-Sartori, who was at the West Essex Bowmen archery club by the park at the time of the crash, feared for a split second that he’d have to run as he saw the plane heading his way.
He described to the Romford Recorder the moment when he saw the plane dropping very low and quietly as the propeller wasn’t moving.
The archer said: “It was going away from us for most of the time and then it started turning around and I realised it was actually aiming for a field to land.”
When he went up close to the crash site, he claims he saw the propeller "swung around" and "pinned" the pilot to his seat.
One man, Mark Turner, checked on the man's condition and made sure to help him.
However alarm bells rang as fuel appeared to be leaking after the crash.
Mr Sarzi-Sartori added: “There was fuel gushing out in big quantities so we had to move him because we thought it could go up in flames. It was quite shocking.”
Fortunately someone at the scene allegedly had prior military training and kept "a cool head" as they managed the rescue.
Mr Sarzi-Sartori said: "It was a bit surreal. He was aiming for us at some point and for a split second I though at one point we’re going to have to run. But then all of a sudden it sort of went down."
The field is located near Damyns Hall Aerodrome on Aveley Road, however it’s unconfirmed if the aircraft came from this aerodrome – it has been approached for comment.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating into the crash.
A AAIB spokesperson said: “We are aware of the accident. We will be deploying inspectors to the scene.”
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