Two men have died after a light aircraft crashed into a field near the M1 in Nottinghamshire, police said.
Officers said the men were believed to be the only people aboard the plane when it came down near Hucknall, close to Nottingham, at about 1.30pm today.
Air accident investigators have now launched an inquiry after the plane came down in a field near junction 26 of the M1, as eyewitnesses described traumatic scenes.
Craig Wing, from Clifton in Nottingham, saw the plane getting into difficulties as he drove northwards on the M1.
The motorist turned around at junction 27 of the motorway and drove back to the accident scene to try to assist those in the plane.
He told ITV's Central News: "We saw the aircraft obviously lose control then nose-dive.
"The pilot managed to... get the aircraft over the M1 into the field on the right-hand side.
"It wasn't a very nice view but my kids were very upset saying 'Dad we've got to go and help these people.'
"I rang the police straight away and pulled over. The police, the ambulance and the fire crew were all first-class."