'It Was Basically on Fire': Raf Hawk Jet Crashes in Fiery Inferno After Witness Spots Flames Moments After Take-off

Two RAF pilots survived a Hawk T2 crash with only minor injuries after ejecting from their stricken training jet moments after take-off from RAF Valley on Wednesday afternoon, before the aircraft crashed into a field near Pencarnisiog, Anglesey, and burst into flames.

North Wales Police said officers were called to reports of 'an incident involving an RAF training aircraft' near the base and confirmed 'two pilots are being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries', adding there were 'no reports of any wider damage or injuries'. The public was urged to avoid the area.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show the jet in difficulty shortly after leaving RAF Valley, home to No 4 Flying Training School on Anglesey. Clips appeared to show both crew members ejecting and their parachutes opening before the aircraft nose-dived into open ground and exploded, sending a column of black smoke into the sky.

'It Was Basically on Fire', Says Witness

Eyewitness Pete Bennett told North Wales Live he knew immediately something was wrong. 'I knew straight away that it was in trouble, right on take-off there was an orange flame and as it accelerated it was basically on fire,' he said.

He described the jet pitching violently twice before two loud bangs signalled the ejections. 'The pilots ejected and both parachutes opened,' he added.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service brought the blaze under control quickly, while officials said no one on the ground was hurt and no properties were damaged, though the wreckage came down close to homes.

Rescue Helicopters Scrambled to the Scene

Helicopters from HM Coastguard and Wales Air Ambulance were scrambled alongside fire crews and paramedics. The two pilots were later taken to Birmingham for treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

Ejection Sequence Highlighted as Investigation Launched

BBC security analyst Mikey Kay described the ejection as 'quite remarkable', noting the ejection seat is designed to allow pilots to eject at zero speed and zero height and was 'one of the big lifesavers in this whole story'.

The RAF confirmed the incident, saying 'a full investigation is under way', and declined to comment further until the cause is established.

Political Leaders React to Raf Valley Crash

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said his 'thoughts are first and foremost with the pilots' and promised updates 'in due course'.

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said he was 'very pleased and relieved' the pilots had not been 'seriously injured', while Reform UK Wales leader and Bangor Conwy Môn Senedd member Helen Jenner said she was 'deeply concerned', adding that RAF Valley was 'part of the fabric of Anglesey'.

The Hawk T2 is a two-seat advanced jet trainer used to prepare pilots for front-line aircraft such as the Typhoon and F-35. The aircraft is operated by No 4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley.

The base opened in 1941 and served as a US staging post during the Second World War. It marked its 85th anniversary in April, an occasion attended by the Prince of Wales, who served there as a search and rescue pilot between 2010 and 2013. Investigators are now examining the wreckage to establish what caused the crash.