Couple survive plane crash
Published: December 27, 2005
Two thrillseekers have survived an ultra-light aircraft crash in shallow waters off the central Queensland coast.
The plane, carrying pilot Graeme Toft, 53, and a 46-year-old female, plunged into water just off Stockyard Point near Yeppoon, north-east of Rockhampton, about 7.30am (AEST) today.
The pair were airlifted to Rockhampton hospital, suffering cuts and bruising.
Mr Toft said he and his passenger were enjoying a joy flight amid strong winds when the engine cut out 100 metres above the ground.
“The engine just failed,” a shaken Mr Toft told Nine Network. [Pilot Error: The Anatomy of a Plane Crash]
“We had just enough glide left in us to get to the beach put her into the water and she flipped over on her back and that was it.”
Stunned beach-goers and fisherman who witnessed the final seconds of the flight rushed to rescue Mr Toft and his passenger.
“It got really low and then, just on the headland here, was like a big splash and then I heard a big thud,” onlooker Ancilla Clare told Seven News.
Ms Clare, her brother Brendan Clare and other friends said they swam to the plane unsure if they would find anyone alive.
He said it was a miracle the pair survived.
“Plane crash - you expect the worse … it’s a nice relief to see them out of the plane though,” Mr Clare told the Nine Network.
The plane was dragged ashore and inspected by police.
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