EYEWITNESSES say it was a "miracle" no-one was seriously injured after a wingwalker biplane crashed in Poole Harbour, just feet from numerous pleasure craft.

The aircraft, part of the Aerosuperbatics display team, had been thrilling the crowds at the Bournemouth Air Festival just minutes earlier.

Both of the people onboard, the pilot and the wingwalker, were rescued safely.

Air festival organisers have since confirmed the crew is "safe and sound and are being looked after by the emergency services".

Bournemouth Echo: The biplane ditches in Poole Harbour. Picture: John Thacker

Picture: John Thacker

Both occupants sustained just minor injuries, Dorset Police have also confirmed.

 

The biplane, which reportedly sank within seconds of coming down, crashed yards from the outdoor terrace area of the Haven Hotel.

Stunned Natasha Manley, general manager of the Haven Hotel, told the Echo: "Honestly, it was a miracle no-one was hurt.

Bournemouth Echo: The biplane ditches in Poole Harbour. Picture: John Thacker

Picture: John Thacker

"The plane came down just outside our terrace, on the water among loads of boats. But none of them were hit.

"A dinghy went out to the plane and got the people out.

"This boat was just right there.

"Everyone is OK, it was mad."

Natasha said she was in her office at the time the plane ditched in the water, but members of staff and guests witnessed the accident.

"The plane has sunk now."

John Thacker, who was watching the air show action from onboard a boat, took photographs of the dramatic crash.

Bournemouth Echo: The biplane ditches in Poole Harbour. Picture: John Thacker

Picture: John Thacker

Mr Thacker, from Birmingham, said: "We were just coming into Poole Harbour and, as you can see in one of the photos, the aircraft was coming in low.

"I took the picture and put my camera down and then it came down lower and lower and when its wheels hit the water it flipped over.

"The plane sank really quickly, and it was gone within 30 seconds.

"There was no sign of it at all.

Bournemouth Echo: Photo by Joe Lamb Photo by Joe Lamb

"We couldn’t get close to it as our draft was too large, but some rubber dinghies got to it in 15 to 20 seconds since it crashed.

"Then the RNLI lifeboat appeared four to five minutes later."

Joe Lamb, who was in the area with his friend, also saw the crash.

He said: "The plane flew sideways into the water and it was quite sudden. No one knew what was happening."