Anti-poaching aircraft crashes

SOUTH African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that a fixed-wing aircraft crash landed in the Kingfisherspruit section of the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday afternoon, while in pursuit of suspected poachers.

“The aircraft, a Foxbat Bantam, was on an anti-poaching mission when the accident happened,” the KNP said in a statement.

“The pilot has been assessed by the Skukuza resident doctor and is being flown to Nelspruit MediClinic for a thorough check-up, after sustaining a gash to his head and minor lacerations.”

KNP managing executive Glenn Phillips expressed his relief that there were no fatalities, saying “we are grateful that the pilot seems fine at this stage. Our prayers are with him and his family, and we wish him a speedy recovery”.

Investigations were currently under way to determine the cause of the accident.