Two men have been confirmed dead following a light aircraft crash in farmland near Rochdale on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred in the Littleborough area, close to the M62 motorway, prompting a major emergency response.
Emergency Services Rush to Scene
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that both occupants of the single-engine Cirrus SR20 aircraft perished in the crash. Police, fire, and ambulance crews were dispatched to the rural location to secure the area and conduct initial assessments.
In an official statement released earlier today, Greater Manchester Police said: "Emergency services are responding to reports of a light aircraft crash in the Littleborough area. We are currently in attendance to establish the full circumstances and assess any casualties. A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area as this work is carried out."
Flight Details and Parachute System
Flight data indicates the aircraft took off from Birmingham Airport at approximately 10:00 AM. About thirty minutes into the journey, the plane began losing altitude before coming down near Littleborough, a town situated at the foothills of the South Pennines.
Photographs from the scene show a large yellow parachute entangled on an electricity pylon. The Cirrus SR20 model is equipped with a whole-aircraft parachute system designed for emergency deployment, which appears to have been activated during the incident.
The Cirrus SR20 is a four to five-seat aircraft, though it was understood to be carrying only two people at the time of the crash. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation by authorities.
Ongoing Investigation
As emergency services continue their work at the crash site, investigators will be examining all available evidence to determine what led to this tragic event. The area remains cordoned off as enquiries progress.
This developing story highlights the importance of aviation safety protocols and emergency response coordination in such critical incidents.
