Light aircraft pilot has minor injuries after sea crash

The pilot of a light aircraft that crashed into the sea off the south coast of England received only minor injuries, police have confirmed.

The plane ditched into the water in Gosport, Hampshire, at about 16:15 GMT on Saturday, near Lee-on-Solent Sailing Club on Marine Parade East.

The pilot had exited the aircraft before firefighters arrived and was subsequently assessed by the ambulance service, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said.

Hampshire Constabulary said the pilot, a man in his 50s from West Sussex, was the only occupant of the aircraft.

Firefighters winched the plane from the sea, with police keeping it secure until it can be recovered, the fire service said.

In a statement, HM Coastguard said the pilot had been "able to self-recover to the beach and was checked over by the ambulance service".

The coastguard said Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team, Hamble Lifeboat, a coastguard helicopter, and an air ambulance also attended the scene of the crash.

Hamble Lifeboat described it as a "very positive outcome in what could easily have been a far more serious situation".

"We send our very best wishes to the pilot following what must have been an extremely frightening experience," it said.

"As always, it is heartening to see the seamless cooperation between all responding agencies, working together to bring incidents like this to a safe conclusion."

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