There are no confirmed casualty details yet, while flowers have been placed on the fence around the reservoir in a floral tribute.

Authorities describe the incident as a crash in a popular area, with flowers laid at the site, while casualty details remain unconfirmed.

Emergency services, including firefighters, air ambulance crews, and HM Coastguard, are attending, and the reservoir area is shut to the public for the day.

Flight data show the vintage aircraft, registered G‑AZDG and built in 1970, departed North Weald bound for London Southend, crashing around the reservoir’s central area about three hours after takeoff.

Initial reports emerged around the same early afternoon hour yesterday, indicating a light aircraft crash at the location.

A major emergency response, involving Essex Police, East Anglia Ambulance Service, and HM Coastguard, is ongoing at Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex after a small aircraft crash, with responders still on site.

Police and emergency teams were first alerted around mid‑afternoon on Sunday, with the scene still active on Monday as officers work alongside investigators.

The scene remains under investigation and the site will stay closed to visitors as authorities assess what happened.

The public is urged to avoid the area as investigations continue and authorities coordinate a wide-ranging probe.

The crash site lies within a Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve south of Chelmsford, and the Visitor Centre and general access remain closed.

Tributes have appeared at the beauty spot as media follow the ongoing live updates from the scene.

The incident prompted a major emergency response, with a small aircraft crashing into Hanningfield Reservoir near Chelmsford on December 28 around 2pm and the area subsequently closed to visitors.