Pilot survives as light aircraft crashes into sea

A pilot has survived after a light aircraft crashed into the sea off the south coast of England.

The plane ditched into the water at Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, Hampshire, at about 16:15 GMT.

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

Firefighters then worked to winch the plane from the sea and Hampshire police were keeping the aircraft secure until it can be recovered, said the fire service.

In a statement, HM Coastguard said the pilot was the only person on board and 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, an air ambulance, South Central Ambulance Service, Hampshire fire and rescue service, and Hampshire police had all attended the scene of the crash.

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