Kate Middleton and Prince William issue rare joint statement over ‘incredible sadness’

Kate Middleton, Prince William issue rare joint statement

The aircraft crashed in a field during a Battle of Britain event on Saturday in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Following the fatal accident, the royal couple shared an emotional statement via their official handle @KensingtonRoyal that read, “Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C.”

Authorities and first responders arrived at the scene before 1:20 pm. A resident told GB News, “It was definitely a spitfire. But it sounded sluggish when it took off at about 1.20 pm. It had just took off and we could hear it cough and splutter. It was about 100m in the air.” “I saw it turn to the left and flip over. We couldn’t see it over the trees. There was about five to eight fire engines and the Helimed too,” they added.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said, “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today,” adding, “The pilot’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, the Lincolnshire Police said in a statement, per the outlet, “The man was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. Police are not in a position to confirm his name but his next of kin have been informed. Nobody else is thought to have been injured as a result.”

The statement continued, “The incident was called into police just before 1.20pm today (Saturday, May 25) and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene,” adding, “Sadly, the injuries the pilot sustained were not survivable and he was declared deceased at the scene. Investigations are ongoing into the cause.”