TWO people have died after a light aircraft came down in woodland near Popham Services.

A third person suffered serious injuries in the crash and has been taken to Southampton General Hospital in a life-threatening condition, police said.

The plane crashed at around 3.30pm this afternoon, in Blackwood Forest, south of Popham Services on the A303.

An air ambulance was sent to the scene, as well as ambulance crews and 25 firefighers.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, of Hampshire Constabulary, told The Gazette: “We are dealing with the crash of a light aircraft just south of Popham Services on the A303.

“I can confirm there are two fatalities and one person with serious injuries who has been taken to hospital.

“The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been notified, as has the coroner.”

He said police were working to establish the identity of the two dead people and where the aircraft came from.

Det Supt Barton said he did not think the plane had come from Popham Airfield, which lies north of the A303.

Officers will stay at the scene tonight.

Stacey Manwill said he was driving on a track to a holiday park south of the A303 this afternoon when he saw ambulances driving past.

He told The Gazette: “I walked on and could see a small blue and white plane and it was in a real mess.

“I could see the fuselage of the plane and it was small. There was no fire and the plane was intact from what I could see.”