The runway at Stansted Airport has now re-opened after an aborted take-off of a plane caused all flights to be grounded for more than two and a half hours.

The incident happened shortly after 8pm and all passengers on the Laudamotion flight bound for Vienna were safely evacuated.

A passenger described hearing a “big bang” as the plane “skidded to a stop” on the runway.

Thomas Steer, 24, from Essex, said the plane had been accelerating for around 15 seconds before there was a “big bang on the side of the aircraft which skidded to a stop”.

He said: “It was scary. And then staff shouting ‘evacuate evacuate’.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emergency services on the runway at Stansted after a plane was aborted at take-off Picture: THOMAS STEER/PA WIREEmergency services on the runway at Stansted after a plane was aborted at take-off Picture: THOMAS STEER/PA WIRE

“My friend opened the emergency exit and we slid down the slides, a few old people fell over and the fire brigade treated them.

“No-one was seriously injured just minor things.”

Images posted to social media by delayed passengers showed several people standing on grass by the runway as emergency service crews and flashing lights surrounded the plane.

Flights to Stansted were diverted to other airports.

Stansted Airport said the aborted take-off was due to a suspected engine problem.

The airport tweeted at 10.40pm: “Our runway has now re-opened and is fully operational.

“We are extremely sorry for the disruption caused by the incident, but our first priority is always the safety of passengers and staff.”