TWO people are thought to have been killed after a plane nose-dived into a fishing lake.

Police said the pilot and passenger on board the light aircraft are not thought to have survived the horror crash, which happened at a private fishing lake off Ulting Lane, Langford, at about 12.55pm today.

The crash was reported by fishermen at the other end of the lake and had their view distorted by trees when the plane entered the water.

Police officers and marine unit divers from Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police were joined at the scene by the Essex County Fire and Rescue boat crew from Leigh as well as firefighters from Maldon, Colchester and Orsett.

The light aircraft was discovered by search teams nose-down into the water, with its tail 10 feet below the surface.

Dave Barritt, assistant divisional officer at Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have found some debris at the side of the lake and the plane is completely submerged so it appears that the aircraft clipped the trees before ditching into the lake."

The vintage Yak plane is understood to have taken off from North Weald airfield, near Epping.

The plane was flying in formation with two others before it nose-dived into the lake.

Helen Cook, spokesperson for Essex Police, confirmed that those on board are “presumed dead”, although no bodies have been found.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified and will look into how the crash occurred.

The identities of the pilot and passenger have yet to be revealed to the public.

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