British Plane Crashes At Airshow

A British warplane performing at an airshow plunged into Lake Ontario and burst apart Saturday, sending up a plume of water and debris in front of more than 10,000 horrified spectators on shore.

The seven crew members aboard all were presumed dead, a Canadian Defense Department official said.

The four-engine Royal Air Force Nimrod, flying at the Canadian National Exhibition, swooped low over the lake and was making a steep turn when it crashed about 1-1/2 miles from shore, according to spectators.

Some said the plane, which was demonstrating its ability to evade heat-seeking missiles, had just dropped flares before it crashed. Others said a cargo door appeared to be open.