A MILITARY aircraft crashed in a field near the North York Moors today.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that a Hawk Training Jet came down in a field near Dawson's Wood, to the south of the A170 Thirsk to Scarborough road.

Firefighters who raced to the incident reported seeing smoke near the wood, which is near to Sinnington Manor.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the force received a call reporting a possible plane crash at 12.51pm.

The MOD said that the sole crew member ejected and was picked up by an RAF Sea King helicopter and taken to Scarborough Hospital.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the road was closed in both directions and the plane had crashed on a disused railway line.

The pilot was conscious and had told police he was alone in the aircraft. There were no other casualties and no damage to buildings.

An eyewitness said he heard the plane crash close to his home at Sinnington Manor, and saw an RAF plane circling above the crash site.

Richard Wilson, 17, said the crash happened about 50 yards from the main road. He said: "I was up in my bedroom and I heard the loudest bang in my life.

"I looked out of my window and there was thick smoke pouring from the trees. I just ran out and had a look and saw debris flying and smoke.

"We saw the pilot parachute out. He probably landed a mile away. We always have the planes flying over, sometimes quite low. They usually go round in twos.

"After the plane there was another plane circling around. It was definitely an RAF craft. I saw the symbol on the plane."

A Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they had an operation supervisor at the scene of the crash.

Andrew Stephens, owner of the Fox and Hounds, said he had been down to the scene. He said: "At the end of the village, the pilot ejected and landed very close to the Strawberry Fields farm. I didn't see how he was.

"The plane came down a little further away at Sinnington Manor. There was ambulance crews and firemen all over the place."

An RAF spokeswoman said the Hawk was based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.

She added: "He has been taken to hospital and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

"A mountain rescue team are on their way to secure the site."

Updated: 14:39 Wednesday, July 23, 2003