Two people died during a 30-minute flight experience when their light aircraft crashed in a field, police have said.

The two-seat Cessna plane came down off Mill Lane in High Ongar, Essex, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

It had set off from North Weald Airfield on “what was expected to be a short journey,” Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said. The airfield offers trial experiences which can be booked by the public for £235.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described it as an “accident” and said its inspectors’ inquiries were ongoing.

At a press conference in High Ongar, Cronin said the victims were yet to be formally identified.

“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flying experience flight but, sadly, it did not return,” Cronin told reporters.

“This is likely to be a complex process and one we will approach sensitively and compassionately.”

Police were called by members of the public who witnessed the plane crash into the field.

The light aircraft is pictured on North Weald Flight Training’s website, where people can book the trial experiences in the Cessna plane, with prices starting at £235.

Information on its website tells prospective customers they would sit in the front of the aircraft with access to “dual flight controls under the guidance of your fully certified and highly skilled flight instructor”.

According to information on tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft had been flown twice already on Tuesday.

More stories from Essex

The third flight lasted eight minutes before the plane came to a stop near High Ongar, according to the website.

Investigators remained at the scene on Wednesday and were expected to be there over the coming days.

Cronin pledged to treat the victims’ families with “dignity and respect” while working to give them answers.

“We’re also speaking to those who called emergency services and who witnessed what will have been a distressing incident,” Cronin added.

In a post on Facebook, the village’s St Mary’s Church said: “Please join us in praying for everyone involved, for the emergency services responding and for all those in our local community who have been affected.”

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.