COUNCILLOR Huw David, the Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, has praised the front-line emergency services for their fast response to the recent incident in which a light aircraft crashed in shallow waters just off Town Beach in Porthcawl.
Witnesses to the incident have described how they saw the plane ‘swoop into the water’ and overturn while the tide was still incoming at around 9.20am.
The pilot, who was travelling alone, was supported by crews from RLNI and HM Coastguard Search and Rescue lifeboats which launched from both Porthcawl and Port Talbot as South Wales Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Fire And Rescue all arrived at the scene.
Councillor David said: “I’d like to recognise and thank our frontline emergency services for their swift response to the incident in which a light aircraft crashed in shallow waters off the coast of Porthcawl.
“Thankfully, the pilot was safely recovered from the wreckage and is now receiving care and support.
“The scene of the crash has been secured to prevent it from becoming a danger to navigation, and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is currently investigating the cause of the incident.
“While accidents such as this are thankfully rare, our emergency front-line services can always be relied upon to act quickly, and to provide effective help and support.”
