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Two rescued from light plane crash

TWO people have been rescued from a small plane in the US state of Maryland, several hours after the aircraft crashed into power lines. The pair were taken to hospital after the incident in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, about 24 miles north- west of Washington, DC, which caused widespread power outages in the surrounding area.

Maryland State Police said pilot Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, DC, and passenger Janet Williams, 66, of Louisiana, were rescued from the single- engine plane that was stuck about 100ft above the ground.

Utility contractors had to disconnect the high- tension wires to make it safe for rescuers to stabilise the plane.

Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said the plane was secured to a pylon at 12.16am local time. The first occupant was removed from the plane at 12.25am. The second occupant was extricated at 12.36am.

Both of those rescued suffered “serious injuries” from the crash, Goldstein said, but were transported to local trauma centres where their injuries were described as “non life- threatening”.

Utility company Pepco reported that 120,000 people were without power, but most of them had their electricity restored before the passengers were rescued.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the single- engine plane – which had departed from White Plains, New York – crashed into a power line tower near Montgomery County Airpark on Sunday.

The FAA added that the cause of the crash was not immediately clear and is under investigation.