Fatalities as two planes collide in Sydney’s south west

Three people have been killed in a devastating light plane crash in the skies over Sydney’s southwest, as first responders said “nothing could have been done” to save those on board.

Three people have been killed in a devastating light plane crash in the skies over Sydney’s southwest, as first responders said “nothing could have been done” to save those on board.

Emergency services responded to reports of a plane crash new Belimbla Park shortly before 12pm on Saturday, after witnesses described looking on in horror as debris from the planes fell from the sky.

NSW Ambulance confirmed two people were inside one of the planes. Picture: 7News

One of the planes crashed in bushland at Belimbla Park near Oakdale on Saturday. Picture: ABC

First responders discovered the shell of a burning Cessna 182 light craft on a private property on Bingalong Rd, but nothing could be done to rescue the pilot and passenger.

Meanwhile, a second crash site – located 1km further north – uncovered the remains of a Jabiru ultra light aircraft.

Police said the plane had taken off from the a nearby airfield at The Oaks.

Addressing the media on Saturday afternoon, Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman from Camden, said the impact was not survivable for people in either of the planes and the scene was “very, very confronting” for first responders.

Police kept member of the public well away from the scene. Picture: NewsWire

Superintendent Calman said that due to the extent of the injuries, police had not yet been able to determine the genders and ages of those killed.

Both crash scenes will be under police guard overnight with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau set to arrive at the site on Sunday morning to begin its investigation.

Resident Kylie Sparkes said she heard an “almighty bang” then “spluttering”.

Small fires broke out after the double crash. Picture: ABC

“Dad has a mechanical background, he said it sounded like a catastrophic engine failure,” Ms Sparkes said. “However we didn’t see it … but we certainly heard it and took off up the paddock to see if we could find the wreckage.”

Ms Sparkes said they headed up an old fire trail that ran through the back of their property, but they could not find the wreckage.

Multiple emergency service crews rushed to the area. Picture: NewsWire

“Apparently it came down about 300m off to the left hand side of our rear boundary – a lot of trees up there. By the time we got back down we could hear the sirens from emergency services.”

Eleven NSW Ambulance crews responded to the incident, including an aeromedical team.

Another neighbour said she was at the nearby Camden Show when she heard the news and rushed back to check on her neighbour’s horses.

A plane has crashed and burst into flames. Picture: 7News

The crash sites are in bushland. Picture: 7News

Wollondilly councillor Paul Rogers was among those involved in rescue efforts, attending one of the crash sites with the Rural Fire Brigade.

A small bush fire was ignited from the flames of the crashed plane.

Local residents of the rural area watch the rescue efforts. Picture: NewsWire

Councillor Rogers said on social media he wouldn’t comment out of respect for the family except that was “a very sad situation”.

Additional reporting by Clareese Packer, Emma Kirk and Aisling Brennan.

Originally published as Fatalities as two planes collide in Sydney’s south west