Red Arrows pilot in hospital after mid-air crash

The Red Arrows team has flown world-famous diamond formation for first time in 18 months (AP)

A Red Arrows pilot was taken to hospital after ejecting from a plane during a training exercise in Crete, the Foreign Office said today.

Another member of the RAF aerobatic team landed safely in what was reportedly a mid-air collision involving two jets.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that an incident has occurred involving the Red Arrows whilst undertaking pre-season training at Hellenic Air Force Base, Kastelli, in Crete, and one pilot ejected and has been taken to hospital and the other one landed safely."

An investigation into the cause of the crash will be carried out, according to the RAF.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that an incident has occurred involving the Red Arrows whilst undertaking pre-season training at Hellenic Air Force Base Kastelli in Crete.

"A service inquiry will be convened to identify the cause of the crash."

The spokesman was unable to provide details of the injured pilot's condition.

Police in Crete said he suffered a dislocated shoulder after parachuting from his aircraft before it crashed, according to reports.

The Red Arrows team arrived on the Greek island on Sunday for the first stage of Exercise Springhawk, the RAF said.

Ten Hawks and a C130 Hercules left Scampton in Lincolnshire on Saturday and travelled to Crete via France and Italy.