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Published 20:28 IST, January 8th 2024

Four injured after plane flips while landing on the Great Barrier Reef island

A light plane carrying nine tourists and a pilot narrowly escaped a catastrophic outcome as it crash-landed while attempting to reach an ultra-exclusive island.

Reported by: Manasvi Asthana
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Four injured after plane flips while landing on Great Barrier Reef island
Four injured after plane flips while landing on Great Barrier Reef island | Image: X

A light plane carrying nine tourists and a pilot narrowly escaped a catastrophic outcome as it crash-landed while attempting to reach an ultra-exclusive island resort in the far north Great Barrier Reef. The incident occurred on Lizard Island, located approximately 1600 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. The flight, bound for Cairns, departed around 7:30 am, but a suspected mechanical malfunction prompted a return to the island, resulting in a crash that flipped the plane and clipped trees in the process.

Emergency response and passengers' condition

Promptly responding to the emergency, Queensland Ambulance operations dispatched two rescue helicopters to Lizard Island just after 7:30 am. Four passengers were airlifted to Cairns Hospital for treatment, with all individuals assessed.

Some passengers were able to walk into the hospital themselves, and remarkably, considering the gravity of the crash, injuries were mostly minor, including a fractured arm and minor head injuries.

A Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse emphasized the passengers' fortune in emerging relatively unharmed.

Crash scene description

Despite the single propeller plane being found upside down in low brush and sand, with a shredded fuselage and scattered debris nearby, emergency responders lauded the pilot's skill. The Queensland Ambulance representative expressed awe at the pilot's ability to navigate such a dire situation, stating that walking away from such an incident was nothing short of incredible.

The crash site, marked by a badly mangled plane with broken propellers, was secured with emergency tape as investigators prepared to examine the circumstances leading to the crash.

Investigation

A forensic crash unit has initiated an investigation to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the crash on Lizard Island. Flights to the exclusive 10-square-kilometer island typically depart from Cairns and take approximately one hour.

Authorities will scrutinize the details of the incident to shed light on the causes and contributing factors, as per the reports.

Crash impact

Situated on the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island Resort is described as the northernmost resort on the reef, surrounded by powdery white beaches and a vast national park spanning 1000 hectares.

The secluded resort, offering 41 rooms and villas, is known for its exclusivity and serves as a popular venue for weddings. The crash's impact on the resort's operations is yet to be fully assessed.

Notably, the cost of an ocean-view villa for two at this luxury destination starts at a minimum of $3000 per night, as indicated on the resort's website.

Updated 20:28 IST, January 8th 2024

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