'Huge relief' as pilot and wing-walker rescued from Bournemouth Air Festival crash

The organisers of the Bournemouth Air Festival have described their "huge relief" that two people were rescued from a crash following a display.

The biplane, belonging to the AeroSuperBatics wing-walking display team, landed in Poole Harbour near the Sandbanks ferry following a flight at the airshow on Saturday (4 Sept)

The pilot and the wingwalker were both rescued and suffered only minor injuries in the incident.

The accident happened at around 3:50pm, following a display at the Air Festival, Dorset Police said.

Eyewitnesses on social media described hearing the aircraft's engine cut out before it was seen ditching into Poole Harbour.

An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is underway, and members of the public are still being asked to avoid the area.

The Bournemouth Air Festival said that crash site had "been secured", adding that the "aircraft will be recovered in due course, subject to tides and harbour traffic."

Organisers said: "We would like to thank the RNLI, Coastguard, South West Ambulance, Dorset Police, Poole Harbour Commissioners and all those who took part in the rescue of the two people aboard the aircraft.

"It is a huge relief for all those involved in the Air Festival that the incident has resulted in the display crew being removed from the water safe and well."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Flt Lt Jon Egging at the air festival.

The Red Arrows pilot was killed when his Hawk aircraft crashed during a display in Bournemouth in 2011.