PICS: 3 killed in light aircraft crash in Joburg

Published Feb 3, 2016

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Johannesburg - Three people were killed on Wednesday morning after their light aircraft crashed in a park near Rasebetsi Road in Wattville in Benoni, said ER24.

Paramedics, along with various services, arrived on the scene of the crash to find the burned wreckage of the aircraft lying on its roof.

“On assessment, paramedics found the bodies of three people lying inside the aircraft. Unfortunately all three occupants had already succumbed to their fatal injuries,” said ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring.

Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele said they were told the aircraft hit a pole and the pilot lost control. 

The crash happened at around 11 am.

Residents from a nearby car wash said they tried to extinguish the fire with buckets when a metro police car arrived with a fire extinguisher.

Residents said they saw smoke coming from the plane before it hit the pole. When it landed they tried to pull the occupants out of the fire but had a hard time.

"We just tried to save their lives. It was too risky busy we were brave," said Sipho Mapanga. 

The female occupant was reportedly still breathing for a while before she eventually succumbed to her injuries.

Gungubele said the South African Civil Aviation will compile a report which will assist the police with the investigation.  

One resident said he had witnessed a number of plane crashes in the area and they were lucky they never landed on people's homes.

African News Agency and  IOL

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