AN 83-YEAR-OLD male pilot has been airlifted to Canberra Hospital after his ultralight plane crashed into a group of trees at the end of a private airstrip near Coleambally this morning.
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Griffith Local Area Command Inspector Gordon Dunlop said police, paramedics and crews from the Volunteer Rescue Association and Rural Fire Service arrived at the scene just after 9.30am and worked quickly to free the pilot from the cabin.
The Coleambally man was said to have been conscious when paramedics arrived.
After being assessed he was taken to Griffith Hospital by ambulance with two broken legs – one compound fracture to his lower left leg and another fracture to his ankle.
The Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter arrived at Griffith about 11am to airlift the man to Canberra Hospital.
“While attempting to take off, for unknown reasons, he has collided with a group of trees at the end of the run way,” Inspector Dunlop said.
He said police had begun investigating the crash.
Witnesses from farms at Coleambally who heard the plane flying overhead before it crash landed say the plane “sounded pretty sick”.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will also be investigating the incident.
