Police have today named the couple who died in a plane crash in Hampshire woodland.

Lewis Tonkinson, 50 and Sally Tonkinson, 44, from Alcester in Warwickshire, died following the crash at Popham.

The couple’s six-year-old son is being treated at Southampton General for life threatening injuries.

Post mortem examinations are due to take place on Tuesday.

The aircraft took off from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight yesterday afternoon before crashing close to the A303 at Blackwood Forest, near Popham Accident investigators have remained at the scene today to establish what caused the crash, which happened at about 3.28pm yesterday.

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said that two people were declared dead at the scene while the third was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

She said: ''Our crews assessed three patients at the scene, sadly two were confirmed deceased at the scene. One patient was taken by land ambulance to Southampton General Hospital with life threatening injuries.''

She added that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance had been sent to the scene along with three ambulances, three rapid response cars and an ambulance doctor.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ''A light aircraft came down and overturned in a patch of woodland half a mile south of A303 just down from Popham at Blackwood Forest.

''We are there assisting with the operation and we are trying to establish what we are dealing with there. We have 25 firefighters at the scene.''

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said the scene was close to a holiday park but the occupants of the aircraft were not believed to be linked to the site.

Anyone who saw the aircraft prior to the crash at 3.43pm should contact the Air Accident Investigation Branch on 01252 510300.