A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued warning pilots the Aerodrome control tower would be closed “due to staff shortage”.

However the notice added the air traffic zone surrounding Wycombe air park as well as gliding operations remained active.

A spokesperson for Wycombe Airpark said they were unable to comment on the control tower when contacted by express.co.uk.

They added: "Wycombe Air Park can confirm that at 12 o'clock local today we were informed of an incident north-west of Aylesbury involving two aircraft from Wycombe Air Park."

It is unclear how this may have affected the flight as more details emerge from the scene.

Several people are feared dead after the crash above Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire.

Emergency services rushed to the scene close to the village of Waddesdon following reports of an incident at 12.06pm.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said the collision had involved a helicopter and a light aircraft.

Analysts from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which investigates air accidents in the United Kingdom, are en route to the crash site.

Police said the priority is on "saving lives" and warned there will be disruption to surrounding roads for the rest of the day.

South Central Ambulance Service said the incident had caused "a number of casualties".

A spokeswoman said: "We received the call at 12.09pm, for a mid-air collision involving a helicopter and an aircraft in Upper Winchendon, near Aylesbury.

"We sent a number of resources to the scene, including a Thames Valley air ambulance, two ambulance crews, two ambulance officers and a rapid response vehicle.

"There have been a number of casualties at the scene, but at this stage this is all we are able to confirm."

More to follow...