TWO passenger planes have crashed on the tarmac at Heathrow - sparking a massive emergency response.
An empty Virgin Atlantic plane collided with a British Airways jet while being towed at Terminal 3, a Virgin spokesperson confirmed.
Witnesses said the Virgin jet was being pushed back by a tug when its wing clipped the BA plane's tail.
No one was on board the Virgin plane, the spokesperson added.
Dramatic snaps show emergency service vehicles scrambling to the chaotic scene.
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The Virgin 787 jet had just landed and was being towed to a different part of the airport.
The accident has not disrupted Virgin's flight schedule from Heathrow.
In a statement, Virgin said: "The wingtip of one of our empty aircraft came into contact with another aircraft while being towed from the stand at London Heathrow Terminal 3.
"The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.
"We can confirm no customers were on board the Virgin Atlantic aircraft during this time.
"We’ve commenced a full and thorough investigation.
"Our engineering teams are performing maintenance checks on the aircraft, which for now has been taken out of service."
BA said: "One of our aircraft, whilst stationary at Heathrow earlier today, was involved in a collision with another airline's jet, which was being towed from a stand at the time.
"Our aircraft is being assessed by our engineering teams.
"We have provided an alternative aircraft to limit the impact on our customers."
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A Heathrow spokesperson said: "We are working alongside emergency services and our airline partners in response to an incident involving two aircraft on the ground earlier today.
"At present, no passenger injuries have been reported and we do not anticipate there to be any ongoing impact to airport operations."
Witnesses took to social media to express their disbelief over the accidental crash.
Posting on Twitter, Alex Whittles said: "Just witnessed a plane crash at Heathrow!
"A tug pushing back a Virgin 787, crashed the wing into a BA A350."
Heathrow and BA have been contacted for comment.
It comes after around 70 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled as Storm Kathleen buffeted the west coast this morning.
The Atlantic storm has sparked travel delays, power cuts and life-threatening debris along the west coast from Cornwall to Scotland.
More to follow.
