INVESTIGATIONS were continuing today after the pilot of a light aircraft was killed when he crashed into a field in thick fog.

The plane came down off Maidstone Road at Horsmonden, near Paddock Wood, at about 10.45am yesterday.

Michael Ravel, from nearby Mill Lane, said he heard the crash. He described how he had heard the plane approach from the east with the engine revving, which had been followed by a thud, rather than an explosion.

Three crews from Kent Fire and Rescue, plus colleagues from the East Kent Fire and Rescue Service were soon on the scene along with police and Kent Ambulance Service personnel.

However, it took more than five hours to remove the body from the wreckage.

Supt Peter West, Area Commander for Weald Police, who was at the scene, said: “We are not in a position to confirm the identity of the victim, but we believe the aircraft was returning from Belgium and heading for Shoreham. There was thick fog when the plane came down.”

The Piper Cherokee appeared to have crashed head on into the ground, with the engine folded up and the fuselage sticking up in the air. Only one person was aboard and no-one on the ground was injured.