Aircraft Down near Harrismith
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4 killed in Harrismith plane crash
2009-12-28 15:47
All four passengers on board a six-seater plane that crashed in the mountains in Harrismith on Monday have died, paramedics said.
"The plane, a Beach* Bonanza, crashed into the side of the Platberg Mountains in thick mist on Monday," Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said.
Botha said that paramedics and emergency services had trouble reaching the crash site as the plane went down in a "very inaccessible" area in the mountains.
Paramedics were notified about the crash at 13:30 but by 15:00 had still not been able to reach the scene.
"They have had to leave their vehicles up on the mountain and to go onto four-by-fours to get over [to the crash site]."
Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said earlier the police station in the area had been contacted about the plane's whereabouts.
"It was reported that it had been missing. Later they heard it had crashed."
He said police were also making their way to the site.
The SA Civil Aviation Authorities' Phindile Gwebu confirmed the crash had taken place and said further information would be available later.
Botha said police and aviation authorities will be conducting an investigation into the incident.
Source:
4 killed in Harrismith plane crash: News24: SouthAfrica: News
- SAPA
( Obviously the reporter is unaware that the spelling is Beechcraft *!)
All four passengers on board a six-seater plane that crashed in the mountains in Harrismith on Monday have died, paramedics said.
"The plane, a Beach* Bonanza, crashed into the side of the Platberg Mountains in thick mist on Monday," Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said.
Botha said that paramedics and emergency services had trouble reaching the crash site as the plane went down in a "very inaccessible" area in the mountains.
Paramedics were notified about the crash at 13:30 but by 15:00 had still not been able to reach the scene.
"They have had to leave their vehicles up on the mountain and to go onto four-by-fours to get over [to the crash site]."
Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said earlier the police station in the area had been contacted about the plane's whereabouts.
"It was reported that it had been missing. Later they heard it had crashed."
He said police were also making their way to the site.
The SA Civil Aviation Authorities' Phindile Gwebu confirmed the crash had taken place and said further information would be available later.
Botha said police and aviation authorities will be conducting an investigation into the incident.
Source:
4 killed in Harrismith plane crash: News24: SouthAfrica: News
- SAPA
( Obviously the reporter is unaware that the spelling is Beechcraft *!)
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ZS-NAF flying on an IF flight plan from Vereeniging to Margate. In the region of Harrismith, the aircraft contacted ATC and advised them that he had a technical problem and was diverting to Harrismith. A few minutes later the aircraft flew into the Eastern side of the Platberg Mountain at high speed, a mere 200ft from the top.
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Names released-RIP
The names of the deceased have been published by a Afrikaans language newspaper.
This from:
News - South Africa: Harrismith plane crash claims four
"According to Beeld newspaper the victims were Dr Johan Adriaan Venter, an orthodontist from Vereeniging and his wife Elzabe, both aged 61; their son Christiaan and his wife Christine, both aged 29, and both chartered accountants"
Very sad.
This from:
News - South Africa: Harrismith plane crash claims four
"According to Beeld newspaper the victims were Dr Johan Adriaan Venter, an orthodontist from Vereeniging and his wife Elzabe, both aged 61; their son Christiaan and his wife Christine, both aged 29, and both chartered accountants"
Very sad.
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Very Sad News
Grew up in Harrismith and Platberg had claimed many previous lives. As a youngster I recall a doc van Rooyen also crashing on the side of Platberg. On that particular day the weather was very misty.
Sad news indeed
Sad news indeed
