Two people died during a flight experience when their light aircraft crashed in a field, police have said.

The two-seat Cessna plane came down off Mill Lane in High Ongar, Essex, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

It had set off from North Weald Airfield on “what was expected to be a short journey,” Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described it as an “accident” and said its inspectors’ inquiries were ongoing.

At a press conference in High Ongar, Cronin said the victims were yet to be formally identified.

“The two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out a short flying experience flight but, sadly, it did not return,” Cronin told reporters.

“This is likely to be a complex process and one we will approach sensitively and compassionately.”