Four hospitalised after light aircraft crash lands on Co Wexford beach

Four people were taken to hospital after a light aircraft crash-landed on a beach in Co Wexford on Thursday evening.

The passengers, who were suspected of suffering head and spinal injuries, were taken to hospital from the scene at a beach just west of Carnsore Point.

Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. It is not yet clear what caused the crash.

Gardaí said those on board were two men aged in their 20s and 50s and two women in their 30s.

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The Irish Coastguard said its Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin was alerted to the emergency when the aircraft was approximately 30km off the southeast coast.

“Shortly afterwards it was confirmed that the aircraft conducted an emergency landing on the Burrow Beach, two miles west of Carnsore Point,” it said.

“The four casualties were assisted on scene and two were transported to hospital by Coastguard helicopters and two by HSE ambulance.”

Aerial footage from above the scene was posted by Atlantic Flight Training Academy whoch shows the plane moving along the beach at the water’s edge.

"Congratulations to our Senior Instructor Captain John Walton on providing top cover during today's incident in Wexford. We wish the crew a speedy recovery. Well done to Waterford Airport ATC," the training academy tweeted.

The Dublin and Waterford based helicopters R117 and R116 were dispatched to the scene as well as the Carnsore/ Rosslare Coastguard unit and the Dunmore East Lifeboat. HSE ambulance paradmics and gardai were also scrambled.

The scene was preserved and both the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) were notified.

An advance paramedic at the scene conducted a preliminary examination of the passengers. Two were taken to hospital by Coastguard helicopters while the other two were taken away by ambulance.

An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is now under way and will fall under the authority of the AAIU.