News.com.au
A LIGHT aircraft has crashed into the water at North Curl Curl Beach in Sydney and a mission is underway.
The plane crashed into the water about 50m offshore and is submerged in 6-metre deep water.
A Westpac helicopter is at the scene and a rescue mission is underway with a paramedic being winched to the aircraft.
One person is being treated for spinal injuries. The injured person's age and sex were not immediately known.
"Paramedics have accessed one patient who has washed up on rocks and are treating the patient for suspected spinal injuries," an Ambulance Service of NSW statement said.
A spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter said crewmen were diving down to check the interior of the aircraft for any other survivors.
"There appears to be a couple of survivors on the surface of the water," a spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter told Macquarie Radio.
"We're hoping there are survivors, we know there are two people that are being supported by local surfers."
Shortly after 10am this morning Sydney Air Traffic Control received a mayday call from the distressed plane.
Minutes later it disappeared off the radar screen.
Soon after Ambulance 000 operators were flooded with calls from witnesses to the crash.
Spokesman from Westpac Stephen Leahy said: "We have no idea of survivors at this stage - we are just trying to get someone down to the crash site."
He also said he had no information on where the plane had come from.
There are claims that the plane carried two people.