25 Dec 2008

Australian police search for plane crash survivors

11:15 am on 25 December 2008

A police rescue team is searching for two missing men believed injured in a light plane crash in north-west of New South Wales.

Police said a truck driver received a distress call from the pilot of a light plane on his UHF radio on Wednesday.

They believe the two-seater Cessna due to arrive at Glen Innes on Wednesday night has crashed in the vicinity of the Coolah Tops National Park in the Hunter Valley.

There were two people on board a 38 year old pilot and his 32 year old passenger.

The pilot provided co-ordinates in the Glenn Innes area for the crash site but a search involving local police, ambulance paramedics, the Volunteer Rescue Association and a number of helicopters failed to locate any wreckage.

A search was called off late on Wednesday night because of poor light and dangerous conditions but was resumed at first light on Thursday morning.