Plane crashes into the sea off Porthcawl
The pilot was able to reach the shoreline with the help of beachgoers
Last updated 13th Jun 2023
A light aircraft has crashed into the sea off the south Wales coast.
The Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat was called just before 0930 this morning to seafront at Porthcawl near the Seabank Hotel with witnesses on social media sharing pictures of the red plane with its tail sticking out of the water.
It's understood the pilot was able to make his way to shore with the help of people on the beach.
The Welsh Ambulance Service say he's been taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend for treatment.
Onlooker James Brown spotted the red plane overturned with its propeller in the waters.
He said: "A plane has crash landed on the shore near Porthcawl Pavilion. I watched it coming low over the common and then the engine started spluttering and this is the result."
Fellow witness Terry Sinnett said: "Looks like a small aircraft has come down in Porthcawl. Pilot being attended by public but was walking."
Terry said he saw two lifeboats as well as police and ambulance and a helicopter at the scene.
Another witness Jamie Lewis said: "It is a miracle that no-one was hit by the plane and that the pilot managed to get out. He's a lucky bloke."
Chris Page, RNLI lifeboat press officer at Porthcawl, said: "RNLI volunteer crews never quite know what to expect when the call for help comes.
"We are trained to deal with every eventuality, but were incredibly relieved to arrive on scene to find the pilot was able to be safely recovered.
"This was a real multi-agency effort between the fire service, the Coastguard and the RNLI."
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “We are aware of an incident in Porthcawl. "The accident will be investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and we will offer them help and support in any way we can.”