AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a crash involving an aircraft in a field in Tyldesley.

A large emergency services presence was in place after the incident on Sunday afternoon, May 29, after the crash in a field just off Rindle Road.

Greater Manchester Police read: "Both occupants of the aircraft – two men aged in their 50s and 70s - have been taken to hospital with serious injuries that thankfully aren’t believed to be life-threatening at this time."

A large police cordon was put in place to preserve the scene.

Police said there would be an investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority in due course.

No wider disruption to the public was caused by the incident, police added.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service added: "Just before 1.30pm (on Sunday) afternoon, five fire engines from Farnworth, Leigh, Irlam and Atherton, along with a Technical Response Unit from Leigh were called to reports of an aircraft crash on Rindle Road, Tyldesley.”

“Crews quickly arrived at the scene and worked to make the area safe.

“Firefighters using trauma equipment and a longboard worked with colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service to treat two people at the scene, before they were taken to the hospital.”

Meanwhile, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the crash.

The AAIB investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, its overseas territories and Crown dependencies.

An AAIB spokesperson said: “We have been notified of an accident in the Tyldesley, Greater Manchester area involving a light aircraft.

"We have launched an investigation and we are gathering information about the accident in co-operation with local authorities and police.”