ALARMED neighbours said a plane crashing into an unoccupied block of flats just a stone’s throw from where they live is a ‘what if’ moment.

At about midday today, the light aircraft smashed into the flats off Camp Road in Upper Heyford. The pilot was taken to hospital with several injuries.

Eyewitnesses say the pilot escaped the plane via a parachute and landed away from the plane, which crashed in the Heyford Park Village.

The immediate area is primarily homes currently being built, however, McGuire Road sits a matter of metres from where the plane hit the flats.

Read also: Pilot in hospital after plane crashes into block of flats in Oxfordshire

One neighbour, Lloyd Waygood, told the Oxford Mail he believes people are set to be moving into the block of flats where the plane crashed and said the incident could’ve been ‘so much worse’.

“We heard a weird sound and didn’t think anything of it, it sounded like a car when it scrapes over a speed bump, and then a low thud,” he said.

“There were no vibrations, no smoke or fire, nothing like that.

“Within 15 minutes of hearing the sound though, emergency services were here.

“Then, we were told to evacuate by police. We got a knock at the door and we were told to evacuate, so we drove off and came back later.

“There’s supposed to be people moving into those homes potentially next week, so it’s very lucky and it could’ve been so much worse.

“We often see stunt planes flying over here at the weekend doing loop the loops, but you never expect this to happen at all.”

PICTURES: Plane crash in Oxfordshire

Another neighbour, Jason Beckett, added: “I heard a loud bang but didn’t think anything of it.

“It all happened very quickly and was over in five seconds.

“Those homes have been vacant for three months or so, it’s a good thing nobody has moved in yet.

“You don’t think these things will happen so close to where you live.

“As long as nobody is injured and the pilot is okay, that’s the main thing.”

Sophie Walsh said: “I heard the sound of a very low plane and then it sounded like a very fast sports car.

“The next thing we know, there was police cars, ambulances and a helicopter – everything like that. It all happened so fast.

“The bit where it crashed is unoccupied flats but nearby, people have moved in within the last two weeks.

“I was speaking to my mum on the phone about it and she couldn’t believe it – it’s been a very unusual afternoon.

“Hopefully the pilot can recover quickly.”

Heather Galloway said the incident was a ‘what if’ moment.

She said: “I didn’t hear anything, only when the police cars arrived.

“The police just asked us to evacuate as they didn’t know if the situation was going to escalate.

“Because the area is so enclosed, that’s why we didn’t hear anything, but it was definitely a little shock knowing how close it was to us.

“I’m so grateful the pilot seems to be alright and that nobody has moved into the homes – it’s a real ‘what if’ moment.”

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