Residents, the RAF and Stansted Airport react to sonic boom
Typhoon jet. - Credit: Jamie Hunter
Hertfordshire, Cambridge and London, residents felt a sonic boom at just after 1pm today (Tuesday).
Residents in Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage are among those who heard the noise.
One said: "Yes [I heard it] just walking back from Panshanger Park thought it was an explosion!"
Another said: "I'm in Stevenage and it made the house shake. I thought something had fallen in the house or one of the solar panels had fallen off. I did a house check including checking my partner, who works night shift, [to make sure he] hadn't fallen out of bed."
An RAF spokesperson said an RAF QRA (quick reaction alert) jet from Coningsby was scrambled.
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RAF Typhoons are authorised to go supersonic as operationally required.
“The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications.
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"Subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted.
