AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a door fell from a helicopter and landed in a tree in a Dorset field.

It happened in the hamlet of Cosmore, near Buckland Newton.

No-one was injured.

The Ministry of Defence said it was not one of its aircraft, although residents told how forces personnel were seen in the area after the incident.

Boeing Defence UK which makes commercial jets and military aircraft, said it was looking into the incident.

It is understood the door was found in a tree.

Residents told of their shock at the unusual incident last Friday morning and said it was lucky no-one was hurt.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “The door of a helicopter fell off and landed right in a field.

“My postman saw it actually happen, the door fell off the helicopter that was flying over and it landed in a field.

“The area was full of RAF people. They were trying to work out where the door was.”

Another resident said: “At about 3pm on Friday the field filled up with RAF staff, and then people from an engineering company, who did a search and eventually found the door stuck up in a tree.

“It’s just a good job it didn’t land on anything or anyone.

“It’s a bit shocking, it’s not something you expect to happen but lots of helicopters fly over the area.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “We received a call on Friday about the incident and it was passed to us for information, but it is not being dealt with by us. It was logged at 12.39pm.”

A spokesman for Boeing Defence UK said: “We are looking into the incident and will comment further when all of the facts are known. We can confirm that a helicopter was involved but we await all of the facts before commenting further.”