/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/nzme/P77WPMTR2NED5N2A773LTFGUOE.jpg?fit=%2C&quality=89&ssl=1 "‘Very fortunate to be alive’: Pilot praised after passengers in ‘flipped over’ aircraft survive")
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The folks on the aircraft are fortunate to be alive, stated the Royal Flying Physician Service’s Brina Keating. Photograph / Queensland Ambulance Service
A aircraft “flipped over” and crashed on a Queensland island with passengers struggling a spread of accidents together with a head wound and a suspected damaged arm.
The pilot has been praised for his fast considering after passengers have been capable of stroll away from the crash on the Far North Queensland island.
Ten folks have been transported to hospital after the aircraft “flipped over” at luxurious vacation vacation spot Lizard Island 240km north of Cairns about 7.30am on Monday.
“I feel the individuals are very fortunate to be alive,” Royal Flying Physician Service’s Stephanie Beatty stated.
It’s believed 9 American vacationers — together with a 14-year-old lady — have been on board together with the pilot.
“We acquired a triple-zero name for a small plane that had flipped over on touchdown on Lizard Island,” Queensland Ambulance Service’s Brina Keating stated.
The plane had reportedly taken off for Cairns, however returned to the island 10 minutes later on account of mechanical bother.
It’s believed whereas trying to land on the island’s small airstrip, the aircraft clipped bushes earlier than coming to relaxation the wrong way up.
Everybody on board was capable of exit the aircraft earlier than emergency providers arrived, incomes reward for the pilot.
“I feel the pilot has clearly carried out an unimaginable job,” Keating stated.
“I perceive he’s an area. He has in depth expertise, so to stroll away from one thing like that’s simply unimaginable.”
Two rescue helicopters and a Royal Flying Physician Service plane have been despatched to the island to deal with the injured.
All 10 folks — reportedly aged from 14 to their 60s — have been taken to Cairns Hospital.
One passenger suffered a head wound and one other a suspected damaged arm.
“All 10 sufferers are in a secure situation,” Queensland Well being stated.
The Australian Transport Security Bureau is investigating.
Lizard Island is a part of a nationwide park, with a lodge that claims on its web site that it’s the solely luxurious resort situated immediately on the Nice Barrier Reef.