A pilot had a ‘miracle’ escape after his light aircraft crash-landed into the sea – narrowly avoiding slamming into nearby houses and rocks.
The terrifying incident took place this morning in the coastal town of Porthcawl, near Bridgend in south Wales.
Witnesses reported seeing the pilot desperately trying to regain control of the ‘spluttering’ plane after it ‘stalled’ before it plummeted into the sea, landing upside down.
Incredibly, the male pilot survived the crash and was able to escape from the sinking aircraft, walking onto the shore.
The drama was witnessed by dogwalker Elliot Jones. The 28-year-old plumber told MailOnline: ‘The plane was low as it flew over the houses. If it hadn’t had turned back out to the sea, he could have exploded some houses and killed some people. It was a miracle.’
Speaking of the moment the plane came down near the Welsh town’s busy promenade, Mr Jones added: ‘I was taking the dogs for a walk and saw this plane fly over.
‘It went to turn right over the houses and stalled. Once it stalled it tried to restart its engines. I could hear it struggling. I thought It was going to crash and it was going to hit the houses.
‘The plane then disappeared towards the sea. Once I got round the corner, I saw it was upside down in the water by the rocks. I couldn’t believe it.’
Police, coastguards and crews from the RNLI were scrambled to the scene, just off the shore near Porthcawl Grand Pavilion, at about 9.20am.
The rescue operation was led by the coastguard, with three RNLI lifeboat teams from Port Talbot and Porthcawl involved.
Witnesses reported the male pilot managed to walk away after ditching his aircraft, a two-seater Renegade Spirit, in the sea.
Onlooker Terry Sinnett tweeted: ‘Looks like a small aircraft has come down in Porthcawl. Pilot being attended by public but was walking. Hoping everyone is safe.’
He later tweeted: ‘Think I saw pilot being helped away from sea by the emergency services. Seems pilot has had a miraculous escape, thankfully.’
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