Horse dies after being hit by plane
A horse that was struck by a light aircraft during takeoff in South Australia has died.
At 9.20am on Sunday, emergency services, including the South Australia Police, the SA Ambulance Service and the SA Country Fire Service (CFS), were called to a private airstrip on a paddock at Anderson Rd, Brentwood in the state’s west.
While the pilot, a 63-year-old local man, and his passenger, a 56-year-old woman also local to the area, were able to escape the aircraft, the man was flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.
The woman was uninjured.
It’s understood the aircraft was travelling at about 110km/h at the time of the collision.
Police previously stated the horse was upright and being treated by a vet.
However, they confirmed on Monday morning that it had died from its injuries.
About 15 CFS volunteers, three CFS trucks and a bulk water carrier remained at the scene to secure stock and assist paramedics with establishing a helicopter landing zone.
Crews were also on standby in the event of fuel leaks.
While the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the incident, it will likely not investigate the crash because the light aircraft was a recreational plane.
Instead, the investigation will likely be handled by Recreational Aviation Australia.
