A small aircraft crash-landed in the sea near the Welsh coastline, prompting a rescue operation. The incident occurred close to Cardigan Island, off the coast of Gwbert, South Wales, not far from the Cliff Hotel and Spa. The aircraft, identified as a microlight, encountered difficulties around 6 pm and ended up in Cardigan Bay. Coastguards later located two individuals on the plane’s wing and safely rescued them.
The passengers were brought ashore via a lifeboat and handed over to the Welsh Ambulance Service, with assistance from RNLI crews from New Quay and Cardigan, along with a coastguard rescue helicopter. While details on any injuries sustained by the passengers have not been disclosed by the coastguard, it is believed they did not suffer severe harm during the incident.
A coastguard spokesperson reported that they received a distress call regarding the microlight around 6 pm, leading to a coordinated response involving a coastguard rescue helicopter, RNLI lifeboats, and the ambulance service. The two occupants were found on the wing of the microlight and safely transported to shore for medical attention.
In a separate incident, a pilot lost their life in a light aircraft crash near Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon. Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene following the incident report around 10 am. The pilot, a woman in her 40s, was pronounced deceased at the site, according to Devon and Cornwall Police. Authorities emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and cautioned against speculation on the crash circumstances.
Superintendent Jo Arundale urged the public to refrain from speculating on the crash details and requested individuals with relevant footage to contact the authorities directly instead of sharing it online. The community’s thoughts are with the pilot’s family and friends during this difficult time.