Two dead in small plane crash near Hastings

Two men have died after the small plane they were in crashed near Hastings this morning.

Police were notified of the crash at 11.24am after another plane flying in the area spotted the crashed Tomahawk in a riverbed parallel to SH50 near the small settlement of Maraekakaho. The Lowe rescue helicopter was sent immediately to the scene and found the two men dead in the crashed plane.

The small plane was owned by the Bridge Pa Aero Club and was believed to be practising low flying in the area. At this stage, it is unknown why the plane crashed. The Civil Aviation Authority has been notified and is on its way to the scene.

Access to the crash site is difficult and it cannot be seen from the road. There is significant damage to the plane, which is currently sitting in about 1m of water.

All emergency services are currently making their way to the scene.

The two people in the plane have not yet been identified and their names will not be released until all family have been notified.

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