Navy jet ditches in sea

Navy jet ditches in sea

The pilot has been taken to hospital in Barnstaple
A Royal Navy Harrier jet has ditched in the sea off the north Devon coast.
The incident happened just before 1500 BST on Wednesday, with the plane coming down in the Bristol Channel a mile from Lee Bay.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Harrier had taken off from St Athan in south Wales.

The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was picked up by a helicopter from the nearby RAF Chivenor air base.

Swansea coastguard confirmed a member of the public reported hearing a loud bang at about 1450 BST.

Pilot in hospital

They then had confirmation from RAF Kinloss that a rescue helicopter from Chivenor had rescued the pilot.

Ilfracombe coastguard, and the Ilfracombe and Appledore inshore lifeboat have been called out to preserve the scene and to assist the RAF.

The pilot was taken to North Devon District Hospital at Barnstaple.

A spokeswoman for the Roayl Navy said: “The early indications are that he is okay and his next of kin have been informed.”

An investigation into the crash has begun.