Fears for two on board light aircraft which crashed in North Yorkshire

Two casualties were on board a light aircraft which has crashed in North Yorkshire, police have said.

The aircraft crashed in fields in the Ryedale area between Castle Howard and the A64 at around 10.40am today.

Emergency services are on the scene and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have been informed.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Roads in the area have been closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and members of the public are advised to keep away from the area."

Up to 20 firefighters are on the scene and have set up a foam blanket around the aircraft in case it catches fire, a North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

The spokesman added: "We have sent three appliances and one incident support unit with its own appliance.

"They are assisting police and have set up the external foam equipment around the perimeter."

An air ambulance and a land ambulance have been sent to the crash site, a Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.