THE pilot of a plane that crashed into a field just outside Taunton survived "with injuries not believed to be life threatening".

Emergency services were sent to the scene after the light aircraft came down in the field off the A361 near Durston shortly before 6pm yesterday (Wednesday).

The male pilot managed to climb free from the plane and was taken to hospital by road ambulance.

An air ambulance attended but was not needed.

Fire crews from Taunton and Wellington check on any fuel leakage and made the aircraft safe.

Police secured the scene ahead of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch's arrival later in the evening.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended the scene after a light aircraft crashed in a field off the A361 near Durston.

"It happened shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, May 26.

"Fire crews made the aircraft safe, air ambulance attended and the pilot was taken to hospital by road ambulance with injuries not believed to be life threatening.

"Police secured the scene for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) until 8.30pm."

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the crash took place at around 5.49pm.

They added: "On arrival at the scene crew confirmed one male had already been released from the plane, crew got to work to check for any fuel leaking.

"One light plane crash landed into private field, one person self extricated and in the care of the ambulance service.

"Crews isolated the fuel and electrics of the plane and left in the hands of the police on scene."

An AAIB spokesperson said: "We were notified of the incident yesterday evening.

"We will be conducting an investigation."