“The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end off the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off after the plane had already taken off.”

A man is fighting for life after a plane crashed and snapped in two after it flipped upside down. Fuel is also said to have been leaking among the debris after the collision.

The incident took place this afternoon, minutes after the small aircraft went down after stalling at the end of the runway, and firefighter Lee Parry has spoken about the aftermath of the crash, The Mirror reports.

The firefighter, who is based at Leigh Fire Station, told Bolton News the plane is said to be “upside down” with “fuel leaking” and debris scattered around the crash site.

He said: “Firefighters from the technical response unit at Leigh were called to Barton Aerodrome to reports of a plane crash. The plane is said to be upside down. Two people are seriously injured. Fuel is leaking and there is debris around the area.”

The incident took place at Barton Aerodrome in Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester. Another unnamed witness described the moment the plane “snapped” in two as it plummeted to the ground not long after taking off, Manchester Evening News reports.

They said: “The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end off the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off after the plane had already taken off and was about two or three metres in the air.

“It continued to coast at a really low altitude before the wing struck the ground on one side. It then rolled over completely upside down and the plane snapped into two pieces.

“They then sounded an alarm and over the course of the next five to 10 minutes around 20 or so emergency vehicles arrived including police, fire and ambulance.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed two men were rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, and another who has suffered “potentially life-changing” injuries.

The force said in a statement: “Emergency services are currently responding to a plane crash at Barton Aerodrome. Two men have been taken to hospital.

“One with life-threatening injuries and another with potentially life-changing injuries. A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 5.30pm today three fire engines from across Greater Manchester and the technical response unit attended an aircraft crash at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles.

“Firefighters arrived quickly and assisted Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and the airport fire service in making the area safe and helping two casualties out of the aircraft.

“Both casualties were transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service and transferred to Salford Royal Hospital. Crews were in attendance for roughly one hour.”

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area whilst emergency services continue carrying out their enquiries. The crash, which happened at around 5:30pm, has left one of the casualties fighting for his life in hospital.

Three fire engines attended and remained on scene for around an hour. Barton Aerodrome said: “Today at 5.07pm an aircraft accident occurred within the Barton Aerodrome boundary, the AAIB have been informed and are carrying out an investigation.

“Our onsite RFFS attended the incident and have worked alongside external emergency services. The two persons on board the aircraft have been taken to hospital via road ambulance. Further details will be provided when available.”