Aircraft crash at Tauranga: one person trapped

The crash happened about 7.45pm at Tauranga Airport. Photo / NZME

Fire fighters are working with rescue equipment to extricate a person from a crashed aircraft at Tauranga Airport.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Paul Radden said their service was notified at 7.45pm of the light aircraft crash.

“There is currently one person trapped in the aircraft,” Radden said.

“Our brigade is working with rescue equipment to extricate the person.”

Fire trucks from Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Greerton stations are at the scene.

“The airport firefighters are also in attendance,” Radden said.

It is unknown at this stage whether the person being rescued is injured.

A SunLive reader has reported that they can see emergency services near the harbour end of Tauranga Airport.

“We can see a lot of emergency vehicles waiting at the end of the runway. About a dozen, mainly ambulance, a few fire engines and a few police cars.”

In an update at 8.55pm, police said one person was being transported to Tauranga Hospital as a precaution following a light aircraft crash at the airport tonight.

“Emergency services responded to the scene around 7.50pm following reports of the crash,” a police spokesperson said.

“Police are working alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Tauranga Airport, and St John at the scene.”

At the scene?

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