A LIGHT aircraft crashed as it was about to take off from Rochester Airport.

The accident involving a four-seater blue and white Piper PA28 happened shortly after 2pm on Tuesday as it taxied down the runway to prepare for a flight. It appears to have overrun the runway before smashing into a grass bank.

Two passengers and a pilot on baord the aircraft escaped unharmed. The emergency services were called in by airport bosses after fears of a potential explosion from any leaking fuel.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters evacuated the immediate area, just in case the fuel did ignite, but the crew from Medway quickly dealt with the aircraft to avert any such leak."

Airport director, Paul Richardson, said: "There was not a fuel spillage. The aircraft had just overrun the runway, on the west-side of the airport."

A spokesman for Medway Police added: "We received a report that a light aircraft had crashed at the end of the runway at Rochester Airport.

"Three people were initially thought to be trapped in the plane which was taking off from the runway but were able to get out. It does not appear that anyone was injured.

"The Air Accident Investigation Unit have been advised about the incident. Police closed Maidstone Road, Rochester, near to Borstal, for a short time after 3pm to recover debris from the plane.