Aircraft tragedy: Two dead in horror midair collision at Kybong near Gympie
Two men have died in a horror aircraft tragedy north of Brisbane on Wednesday afternoon which police say will ‘hit the community very hard’. LATEST, VIDEO.
Gympie
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An aircraft tragedy which claimed the lives of two pilots has “hit the community very hard”, from families to aero clubs and emergency services and witnesses.
An 80-year-old Caboolture man and 77-year-old Glenwood man died after the two aircraft collided in the air and crashed into a paddock.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash at Kybong, 150km north of Brisbane, on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood the incident involved one glider and one ultralight aircraft.
Police have declared two crime scenes in the area, approximately 200 metres apart.
Forensic Crash Unit investigations are ongoing.
Gympie Patrol Group Inspector Brad Inskip said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the tragic event would be felt deeply across the community.
“There’s no doubt about it, this is a tragic incident and quite a graphic scene for all of the emergency services … and witnesses,” Inspector Inskip said.
“Many people in the community are here together … this is going to hit the community very hard, especially those in the clubs involved.”
Farm workers near the scene reported hearing a loud bang while they were enjoying an afternoon tea in their backyard.
When they looked out to the neighbouring paddock, they said they saw two aircraft spiralling to the ground.
Lindsay Mitchell from Gliding Australia said he knew the man who had been killed in the glider.
He said he was an experienced glider who had been doing it for decades.
Police said the man was flying from the Sunshine Coast Gliding Club, but could not confirm where the ultralight aircraft was travelling from.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the first emergency service crew arrived about 3pm after the incident was reported to emergency services about 2.50pm.
Police are urging any witnesses or people with information to come forward to help with investigations.
The crime scenes are expected to be maintained overnight.
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