Rescue helicopters sent to Lizard Island in Far North Queensland after aircraft incident

A group of successful thoroughbred racing identities were onboard a light plane when it crashed and flipped at a North Queensland holiday destination, it can be revealed. A 14-year-old girl was also a passenger.

A group of successful Kentucky thoroughbred racing identities were onboard a light plane when it crashed and flipped at exclusive North Queensland holiday destination Lizard Island.

Vodka flavouring entrepreneur and racehorse owner Richard Rigney and his wife were among those who remarkably survived Monday’s crash, which saw several people taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Richard Rigney and his wife Tammy.

Mr Rigney, his wife Tammy and their young daughter visited Lizard Island last year to go scuba diving, telling a racing publication they then made a chance visit to Magic Millions where they bought a $1.2m filly.

The family appears to have returned to the island paradise for a second visit, again in time for the annual Gold Coast thoroughbred sale.

Mr Rigney told ANZ Bloodstock News in January last year the Gold Coast visit had been on impulse and they’d attended the sale with Kentucky bloodstock agent John Moynihan.

Mr Moynihan is also believed to have walked away from Monday’s plane crash.

John Moynihan. Picture: Regi Varghese

“We were coming out to Australia to go scuba diving with our 13-year-old daughter at Lizard island. So, we were like ‘hey, we’re going to stop by with John [Moynihan] and see what we like here,” Rigney said to the racing publication last year.

“I thought, ‘why not? Let’s do it’. I heard it was fabulous [at Magic Millions] and it was even better than I expected.”

Also on board was horse trainer Phil Bauer and his wife.

A plane flipped on landing at Lizard Island.

The chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau earlier revealed the small aircraft that crashed on Lizard Island on Monday morning experienced engine troubles almost immediately after takeoff.

Chief commissioner Angus Mitchell told the Australian the pilot of the Townsville Airlines plane tried to return to the island’s runway but collided with trees and terrain on approach, coming to rest in an inverted position after sustaining “substantial damage”.

Mr Mitchell said the ATSB had begun collecting evidence.

“This will involve interviewing the pilot, witnesses, first responders and other involved parties, and reviewing recorded data and maintenance records,” Mr Mitchell told the Australian.

“The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed or has photos or video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight to make contact via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity.”

Flight data shows the plane was in the air for about 10 minutes before it crashed.

Shaken Great Barrier Reef tourists arrived in Cairns for medical treatment on Monday afternoon.

First reports of the crash were made to Queensland Ambulance Service about 7.30am on Monday, according to Queensland Ambulance Service acting assistant commissioner Brina Keating.

“At 7.30am we received a call for assistance from Lizard Island after a light aircraft had crashed,” Ms Keating said.

QAS Acting Assistant Commissioner Brina Keating speaks to the media following the Lizard Island plane crash. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“We had two helicopters attend and the patients have now been transported to Cairns Hospital.”

Ms Keating said it was fortunate for ten people to walk away from such an incident.

“There were ten patients in total. All were walking, they were able to get out of the aircraft,” she said.

“The pilot was one of the ten … he’s stable.

A teenager was among those in a light plane when it flipped.

“One patient (has) an arm injury and one … (has) a minor head injury, just a laceration on the head.”

Ms Keating said a 14-year-old girl was among the patients.

“She’s stable,” she said.

Ten patients have been assessed after a light plane flipped at Lizard Island.

“The rest were adults.

“I understand there were American tourists on this aircraft.

“I believe the plane was taking off … we’ll leave it up to (other authorities) to investigate.

“Quite quickly we had resources on the scene – RFDS, Townsville and Cairns (rescue) helicopters.

“We were on scene within the hour. The first person on scene was a Lizard Island first responder who was able to relay information to us.”

Lizard Island, 240km northeast of Cairns, is home to an exclusive resort and private holiday homes and is popular with celebrities, with Russell Crowe and Tiger Woods among those to have visited.

Originally published as Rescue helicopters sent to Lizard Island in Far North Queensland after aircraft incident