At first glance it appears as though a plane has crashed on a beach near Falmouth, causing some initial concern among locals.

Lying on the sand, abandoned, the orange and white light plane seems to have lost a wing.

However, all is not what it seems down in the Helford area.

Emergency services have been to inspect it this morning (Saturday) and have confirmed that it is in fact a prop, believed to be for a forthcoming theatrical production.

As a result, people are being asked not to call it in. 

 

The orange and white plane can be seen lying on the sand Picture: Austen Osborne

The orange and white plane can be seen lying on the sand Picture: Austen Osborne

 

Steve Davey, deputy station officer at Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, posted on the Falmouth,Penryn And Surrounding Areas Community Information Facebook page in a personal capacity, telling people not to worry.

He said: "Just a heads up. There is a plane on ‘a beach in the Helford’ – but all is not what it seems.

"It’s not crashed, it appears it’s something to do with a film / TV shoot.

"Emergency services have been there this morning to check it out.

"So if you see it from a distance or happen across it, please don’t call it in. All is well."

It has been suggested by more than one person that the plane may be in connection with a forthcoming production of The Tempest that is coming to Trebah Garden this week.

Austen Osborne, who took a couple of photographs this morning from the path above and on the beach, said: "The Tempest starts there this week, I expect it’s to do with that."

The timings would tie in, with performances beginning on Tuesday and running until next Saturday for the adaptation of the Shakespearean classic, which is being performed through the sub-tropical garden.

Information on the garden's website describes the production as: "A bold, contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, performed across Trebah’s sub-tropical garden. Incensed skies cause a catastrophic disaster on the beach of a magical island.

"Shoulder-padded passengers scatter as your new leader stands tall atop a cliff.

"Venture through an island full of noises in this radical adaptation of a 400-year-old story and decide for yourself, who really holds the power?"

However, writing on the same Facebook page, Andy Blake had a different suggestion, joking: "Possibly someone down for the weekend visiting their holiday home. Makes a refreshing change from a BMW X5 stuck on the beach."

UPDATE: The Packet can now confirm the plane is indeed the opening scene for Trebah Garden's production of The Tempest this week.

We caught up with the director to find out more: Director reveals exactly what 'crashed plane' on Cornish beach is all about