Moment lightning strikes Heathrow-bound plane

Footage has emerged of the moment a plane was hit by lightning as it approached Heathrow on Wednesday.

British Airways said its flight BA857 from Prague was hit, but that it landed safely.

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YouTube user Aled Rhys Jones managed to get video footage of the strike from below.

And a number of people on the ground also shared images of the lightning strike hitting the plane online.

It is thought at least three planes were hit as the storm hit the capital.

One couple told how their Icelandair plane was hit while returning from a trip to Iceland.

According to the Evening Standard, Liz said: "It came out of the blue. There was a really loud bang and white flash – not really what you want on a plane.

"It really did sound like something hit the plane.

"We could see the flash but it was on the opposite side of the plane to me. The lightning hit the wing.

"When we landed the pilot said 'I'm sure you noticed we got hit by lightning but don't worry planes are made to withstand that kind of thing'."

Another passenger flying into City Airport from Edinburgh said on social media his plane was also hit at around 8.20pm.