Mechanics Workshop At Lochinvar Goes Up In Flames

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a mechanics workshop at Lochinvar overnight.

Six fire trucks were called to Simply Works on the New England Highway just after midnight to find a large shed well alight.

Several gas cylinders inside the shed hampered firefighting operations.

It's taken firefighters about 2 hours to extinguish the blaze.

Fire investigators will comb though the rubble this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

UPDATE: Pilot Injured In Light Plane Crash At Luskintyre

BY IAN CROUCH


The pilot of a light plane has been taken to hospital after crash landing at Luskintyre Airfield last night.

The 66-year-old took off in his single-engine de Havilland Canada Chipmunk at about 7.00pm and was about 200 metres off the ground when the aircraft experienced partial engine failure.

He managed to turn the plane around to head back to the airfield, but crash-landed the aircraft on its belly in a nearby paddock.

The pilot suffered minor injuries to his right leg and elbow and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are investigating the crash.

A de Havilland Canada DHC Chipmunk Similar To The One Involved In A Crash Landing At Luskintyre Airfield

EARLIER
Authorities are investigating a plane crash at Luskintyre.

Emergency services were called to the Luskintyre Airfield at about 7.30pm on Tuesday to reports a light plane had crash landed.

It's understood the male pilot was taken to hospital with a minor leg injury.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are not clear at this stage.

More details to come.

Man Suffers Horrific Burns In Car Fire At Pelican

BY IAN CROUCH

A 71-year-old man has been airlifted to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital after he suffered serious burns in a car fire at Pelican this morning.

Emergency services were called to Lakeview Parade just before 7.30 to find the car engulfed in flames - the cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Glen Ramplin from the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter says it's believed the man was transporting a barbeque gas bottle at the time.

"A 71-year-old gentleman was driving the vehicle. I's believed he may have had gas bottles on board and somehow or other a fire has occurred. He sustained quite serious injuries and he's now being flown the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney for further treatment," he said.