A Red Arrows pilot was taken to hospital yesterday after two jets were involved in a mid-air collision during a training exercise in Crete.

Another member of the flagship RAF aerobatic team landed safely, authorities said.

The injured pilot was believed to have suffered a dislocated shoulder after parachuting from the aircraft at around 11.50 a.m. GMT. A Foreign Office mouthpiece said: "We can confirm that an incident has occurred involving the Red Arrows while 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. 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.

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