One person seriously injured in ‘traumatic’ aeroplane crash at Oxford, Canterbury

Emergency services are responding to a light aeroplane crash in rural Canterbury. Photo / NZME

One seriously injured person has been taken to hospital after a light aeroplane crash in rural Canterbury.

A passenger was seriously injured after the plane landed short of a runway on Browns Rd, Oxford, about 40km from Christchurch.

St John Ambulance sent one rapid response unit, one first response unit and an ambulance, and treated two people for injuries.

The seriously injured person was taken to Christchurch Hospital,

Fire and Emergency NZ sent three crews to the scene about 2.40pm.

A Fenz spokesperson said a crew from Oxford was already at the scene, a grass aerodrome, and was helping police and ambulance with the response.

No one was reported trapped after the incident.

The pilot was a member of the Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club, president Doug Anderson told the Herald.

Anderson said the club committee had agreed not to give any further comment.

The crash happened during the Wheels with Wings fundraising event for the Oxford and Districts Lions Club and the Oxford Community Trust.

Event organiser Dave McPherson said the pilot was a personal friend of his and had been his flight instructor.

McPherson said he did not see the crash, but told the Herald a “bent aeroplane” was left at the scene.

“I know him well and I know he’s okay. He’ll be shaken up,” McPherson said.

“He’s pretty upset [the crash] happened though. It’s just traumatic, you don’t expect these things to happen.”