The aircraft, from RAF Cottesmore, came down on open farmland just before 1350 hours near the village of Ashwell.The pilot, from the Royal Navy, ejected prior to the crash and has been taken to hospital by air ambulance. There is no word at this time on the condition of the pilot, whose next of kin have been informed. There are no reports of casualties on the ground.At this stage it is too early to say what might have caused the incident. However, a Board of Inquiry is being convened.
Police closed roads surrounding the scene of the crash 


A Royal Navy pilot has safely ejected from his Harrier GR7 aircraft moments before it crashed in a field near the small village of Ashwell in the county of Rutland in England. The crash occurred at about 1350 BST today. 

The pilot was taken by air ambulance to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham for treatment for spinal injuries. 

Local resident Vic Harrison spoke to the BBC about the incident: "I thought he didn't stand a chance, but I looked up and saw the parachute of the pilot. I really thought he had hit the houses. It was a narrow miss - it must have been just 400 yards from our house. It has been an exceptionally lucky escape."

The plane, from the nearby RAF Cottesmore airbase, was on a training mission and is said not to have been carrying any weapons.  

===Gallery===

Image:Harrier plane crash Ashwell, Rutland AB2.JPG|The following day the scene was preserved under tents 
Image:Harrier plane crash Ashwell, Rutland AB3.JPG|Police and military base of operations the day after the crash