The aircraft crashed into the sea off Porthcawl, Bridgend
By Jared Evitts & Eben Leonard
BBC News
An aircraft has crashed into the sea off the south Wales coast.
HM Coastguard was called out on Tuesday morning after reports of a light aircraft going into the sea at Porthcawl, Bridgend.
It said the alarm was raised at about 09:20 BST as the pilot was making his way on to dry land.
One person has been taken to hospital for further treatment, the Welsh Ambulance Service said.
Resident Margaret Kendrick said she looked out of her window to see the upside-down aircraft.
“He was very lucky where it landed, I walked out of my house and saw a red shape,” she said.
“Somebody not far away saw it coming down, all of a sudden the plane was quiet and the engine went off.”
Image source, Lynne Davies
The coastguard said the pilot made his way to dry land after the crash
RNLI lifeboats from Porthcawl and Port Talbot were sent to rescue the pilot, who was taken into the care of the Welsh Ambulance Service.
“There’s RNLI boats, the police and a helicopter there – the tide is coming in now,” said Ms Kendrick.
“The pilot walked away apparently, he was so close to the rocks – I thought I was seeing things.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it was aware of the incident and was investigating.
Image source, RNLI/Chris Page
Emergency services attended the scene after being called shortly before 09:30
