EYEWITNESSES say it was a 'miracle' no-one was seriously injured after a wingwalker biplane crashed in Poole Harbour, just feet from numerous pleasure craft.
The aircraft, part of the Aerosuperbatics display team, had been thrilling the crowds at the Bournemouth Air Festival just minutes earlier.
Both of the people onboard - the pilot and the wingwalker - were rescued safely, the Oxford Mail's sister title the Bournemouth Echo reports.
Air festival organisers have since confirmed the crew is "safe and sound and are being looked after by the emergency services".
Picture: John Thacker
Both occupants sustained just minor injuries, Dorset Police have also confirmed.
#BreakingNews Please find our statement below in relation to an incident in Poole Harbour. pic.twitter.com/PF1TyvlMEc
— Dorset Police (@dorsetpolice) September 4, 2021
The biplane, which reportedly sank within seconds of coming down, crashed yards from the outdoor terrace area of the Haven Hotel.
Stunned Natasha Manley, general manager of the Haven Hotel, told the Bournemouth Echo: "Honestly, it was a miracle no-one was hurt.
Picture: John Thacker
"The plane came down just outside our terrace, on the water among loads of boats. But none of them were hit.
"A dinghy went out to the plane and got the people out.
"This boat was just right there.
"Everyone is OK, it was mad."
Natasha said she was in her office at the time the plane ditched in the water, but members of staff and guests witnessed the accident.
"The plane has sunk now."
John Thacker, who was watching the air show action from onboard a boat, took photographs of the dramatic crash.
Picture: John Thacker
Mr Thacker, from Birmingham, said: "We were just coming into Poole Harbour and, as you can see in one of the photos, the aircraft was coming in low.
"I took the picture and put my camera down and then it came down lower and lower and when its wheels hit the water it flipped over.
"The plane sank really quickly, and it was gone within 30 seconds.
"There was no sign of it at all.
"We couldn’t get close to it as our draft was too large, but some rubber dinghies got to it in 15 to 20 seconds since it crashed.
"Then the RNLI lifeboat appeared four to five minutes later."
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