At least one person has died after a small plane crashed onto a motorway.
The aircraft is thought to have ploughed into the central reservation of the road in New York. Emergency services have dashed to the scene where, despite the best efforts of paramedics, one of the two people on board has been declared dead. The other person is thought to be seriously hurt.
Aviation fuel has spilled onto the Interstate 684, which is closed in both directions. It happened in Harrison, which is approximately 25 miles northeast of Manhattan, New York, at around 7pm in the US (midnight in the UK).
Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, said: “My heart goes out to the loved ones of those on board during this tragic incident, and I am praying for a safe recovery for the injured individual.”
At least one person has died in he tragedy ( Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for New York State Police said: “The preliminary investigation has determined there were two individuals on the plane, and one is confirmed deceased. Further information will be provided when it’s available.”
Further details about the two people, including their genders, are yet to be disclosed by authorities at this stage. It is also unclear at this stage if any vehicle drivers or passengers in cars using the Interstate 684 are injured. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and follow the diversions in place.
It echoes a tragedy which happened in September in Derbyshire, UK, which saw the pilot of a light aircraft die following a crash. The pilot suffered fatal injuries after their plane – an Evektor SportStar – careered into a building in an industrial estate. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating this crash, which happened when the pilot was the only person travelling in the Evektor SportStar.