17 August 2023 , 22:00
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Eyewitnesses have described feeling 'sick' after they saw two gliders smash together in mid-air.
Authorities declared a major incident in a rural area near the town of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on Thursday afternoon following the collision, which was first reported at around 3pm. Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and an air ambulance were confirmed to be in attendance at the scene.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has also been informed. The condition of those on board the unpowered craft is not known.One witness said their wife had been lying on the sunbed in the garden when they heard an 'almighty bang', before seeing one of the gliders narrowly miss the nearby town as it hit the ground.
Speaking anonymously to Leicestershire Live, they said: "We have just witnessed two gliders colliding in mid-air above the Melton Mowbray area. My wife was lying on her sunbed and called me to look at four gliders circling in the sky above us. All of a sudden there was an almighty bang after 2 gliders had hit each other . They came crashing down to the ground. One very close to Melton. It was an horrific sight and has made us both feel sick."
An eyewitness said one of the gliders came 'very close' to the town of Melton Mowbray (Tom Maddick / SWNS)Alicia Kearns, local Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, wrote on the X social media platform (formerly Twitter) that she was "saddened" by the incident. She added: "My thoughts are with all the families and loved ones of those hurt in the crash. I know everyone in our communities will be wishing a full recovery to all, and will be waiting for news."
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A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police told local media: "We are aware of this incident and officers are in attendance along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has also been informed. We cannot provide any further information at this time."
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We received a mobilisation message at 15:03 to a report of a glider that has crashed. We have a pump from Melton Mowbray and Birstall Fire Station in attendance, alongside the Police and EMAS." The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch wrote on X that they "have launched an investigation into a glider mid-air collision which occurred this afternoon near Melton Mowbray, Leicester, and have deployed a team to the site".