Light aircraft crash near Prestwick Airport with two injured

Emergency services were called to Ladykirk House, Monkton, less than two miles from the airport, shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, April 23.

A nearby stretch of road was closed as a result of the incident, with police asking people to avoid the area. The road re-opened more than three hours later.

Credit: Charlie Gilmour Photography

The injuries sustained by the two men, aged 65 and 75, on board the plane have described as "serious".

HM Coastguard said it had airlifted the two men to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent two pumps and two specialist appliances to the scene, before leaving at 7.08pm.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 4.10pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, we received a report of a small aircraft having crashed in a field near to the A719 at Monkton.

"Emergency services attended and two men, aged 65 and 75, were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by helicopter for treatment to serious injuries.

"The A719 was closed at the B739, Monkton and re-opened around 7.30pm.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."

Credit: Charlie Gilmour Photography

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) also attended the scene, sending two appliances and heavy rescue equipment to the area.

A spokesperson for the SFRS said:  "We were alerted at 4.05pm on Tuesday, April 23, to reports of a crash involving a small aircraft in a field near Monkton.

"Operations control mobilised two appliances and heavy rescue equipment to the scene.

"Two casualties have been passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"The last appliance remained on scene until 7.08pm."

A spokesman for HM Coastguard added : “The Coastguard helicopter was requested to attend a site close to Prestwick Airport earlier today following an incident, and airlifted two people to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”