Emergency services rushed to an Essex reservoir after a small aircraft crashed into the water, sparking a major police investigation.
Emergency Response at Hanningfield Reservoir
Essex Police were called to Hanningfield Reservoir in Chelmsford shortly after 2pm on Sunday, 28 December 2025. Officers described it as a "serious incident" and remain at the scene. The force has not yet confirmed the number of people on board the light aircraft or whether there have been any casualties.
A specialist team from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been deployed to the site. Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan of Essex Police stated: “We are still in the early stages of our investigation and are working closely with the Air Accident Investigation Branch to establish what has happened.”
Nature Park Closure and Ongoing Probe
The popular Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park, managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, has been closed following the crash. The trust issued a statement saying it is supporting the emergency services and hopes to reopen tomorrow.
“We are unable to comment further, as this is a police and emergency services matter,” the trust said. “We are doing all that we can to support them. We hope to be open again tomorrow, but we will update the public through our website and social media channels when we know more.”
AAIB Investigation Underway
The AAIB confirmed it has launched a full investigation into the accident. A spokesperson said: “An accident at Hanningfield Reservoir involving an aircraft has been notified to the AAIB. An investigation has been launched, and a multidisciplinary team of inspectors have deployed to the accident site.”
The investigation will seek to determine the cause of the crash, with inspectors examining the wreckage and gathering witness statements. The collaboration between Essex Police and the air accident investigators is standard procedure for such incidents.
