Two individuals have tragically lost their lives following a light aircraft accident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place on farmland near Rochdale, as confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.

The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as a Cirrus SR20, reportedly carrying two passengers when it went down near the M62 in Littleborough, close to Rochdale. Authorities have stated that no other individuals were onboard, and there were no injuries reported on the ground.

Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis of GMP’s Rochdale district expressed condolences, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and extending sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased.

Flight data revealed that the single-engine plane, with a capacity of 4-5 occupants, departed from Birmingham Airport around 10 am. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft began descending, ultimately crashing near Littleborough, a town situated at the base of the South Pennines, around 11 am.

Following the initial reports of the incident, emergency services swiftly responded to the scene in Littleborough. A precautionary cordon was established for investigation purposes, urging the public to avoid the area to facilitate emergency responders’ work.

A photo circulating on social media depicted what appeared to be a parachute entangled in a nearby pylon. The Cirrus SR20 model of aircraft is equipped with a whole aircraft parachute system designed for emergency deployment.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has initiated an inquiry into the crash and dispatched a team to the site for further examination. An official statement from the AAIB confirmed the incident and detailed the commencement of a comprehensive investigation by a team of inspectors.