TOWNSVILLE, Queensland — Ten people narrowly escaped tragedy after a light plane they were traveling in crashed and flipped over while attempting to land on Lizard Island in Queensland’s Far North. The aircraft, carrying nine passengers and a pilot, went down on the exclusive resort island, situated about 400 kilometers north of Port Douglas at the Great Barrier Reef, yesterday morning.
The small aircraft, bound for Cairns, was forced to make an emergency landing back on the island due to a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff. As it descended, the plane struck trees and crash-landed on the sand and shrubs.
Emergency helicopters were dispatched to the site, transporting four individuals to Cairns Hospital. Despite the ordeal, all of them sustained only minor injuries, with some managing to walk themselves to the hospital.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse praised the pilot for his quick thinking, stating that the situation could have ended much worse. The pilot’s skillful landing was acknowledged by Brina Keating from Queensland Ambulance as incredible.
Dramatic images revealed the overturned plane with significant damage. A forensic crash unit will conduct an investigation into the incident.
The small, luxury resort island of Lizard Island is a popular tourist destination known for its pristine beaches and is typically accessed via flights from Cairns, with a travel time of one hour.
Ten people are fortunate to have survived a terrifying plane crash on Lizard Island, with only minor injuries reported. The pilot’s quick response and skillful handling of the emergency are being praised. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.