A RED Arrows engineer has died after a jet crashed at RAF Valley in north Wales this afternoon.

The pilot of the Hawk aircraft survived and is receiving treatment in hospital, the RAF confirmed.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a figure eject from the jet following the crash at the Anglesey base used to train the UK's fighter pilots.

North Wales Police confirmed they attended the incident and were called to the scene at around 1.50pm.

Group captain Nick Tucker-Lowe said in a statement: "It's with great sadness that the RAF can confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF aerobatics team The Red Arrows in a tragic accident today.

"The engineer's family have been informed and have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before further details are released.

"The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care."

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time."

Caterer Anne Wilson works at The Anglesey Golf Club, situated at the end of the runway at RAF Valley, and saw the aftermath of the crash on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old told the Press Association: "I did not see the crash but I heard a very loud noise - we are used to the planes going over but this was unusual.

"I did go and have a look and there was a big fireball and lots of smoke... quite a few of the members actually saw it.

"They said the plane came in quite steeply and saw a pilot eject, but that it was very low to the ground when they ejected."

Sian Rebecca Williams, an 18-year-old student from Rhosneigr, north Wales, said she was waiting at Rhosneigr train station when the jet flew overhead.

"The Red Arrow came over and because I'd hardly seen one before I thought 'Wow, it's out'," she told the Press Association.

"From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

"As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

"Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere."

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage "instantly", she said, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

It is understood the Red Arrows aircrew had been at RAF Valley for routine Hawk simulator training - something that takes place once a month.

They had just taken off from the base and were on their way back to RAF Scampton, where the aerobatic team are based, when the incident happened.

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust confirmed an emergency ambulance and an air ambulance were sent to the scene after they were called at 1.30pm.

The Red Arrows perform annually at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

During the 2011 festival, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, died when his Hawk T1 came down in a field near Throop. 

The accident happened after he suffered an almost loss of consciousness due to high g-force during a manoeuvre pulling 6.3g.

His Hawk jet over-banked with its nose down, losing height when it should have been climbing. 

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.

Some 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley on Anglesey, which is also home to the military's search-and-rescue, post-crash team.