Police have confirmed that a man has died in an aircraft crash near Bangalow this morning.
A NSW Police Media spokesperson said the four seater Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft crashed into trees at Brooklet this morning at 8.55am.
Fire and Rescue NSW were called about 8.58am to Rishworths Lane, Brooklet.
A Hazmat unit and Rural Fire Service have also attended, along with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The four seater Cessna Skyhawk took off from Heck Field Flying Club in Jacobs Well, Queensland, on route to Ballina Airport at 8am this morning.
About 8.55am, local residents in Brooklet, Ballina, heard a loud noise and found the aircraft had crashed into bushland. There was heavy fog at the time and debris was scattered over a large area.
A 71-year-old-man was located deceased at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
The spokesperson said the aircraft had come to rest about 50 metres into the bush.
‘Debris can be seen in the tree tops,’ she said.
‘There is currently heavy fog in the area and one man has been confirmed as deceased.
‘Emergency services are on the scene and Police Airwing are on their way.
‘It’s quite a remote area to access.’
Shortly after the crash, nearby residents began posting on Facebook.
Tracey Knowland of Brooklet wrote: ‘OMG a plane just crashed somewhere in our vicinity, in bushland near Rishworths Lane. Terrible noise and impact. Very low visibility, Stuart and staff out in 4wd trying to locate. triple o called.’
She later posted, ‘Our neighbour Bill has located plane by 4wd. Sounds like it’s come down in the the heavily wooded back corner of our property. Multiple police and ambulances and helicopter just arrived. It’s not good.’
The NSW Police Media spokesperson said more information would be posted later in the day once emergency services had dealt with the accident scene.
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