January 7, 2015 - NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA -
13 skydivers parachute to safety as New Zealand plane crashes into lake.
14 skydivers were caught in an intense hail and wind storm in
Australia.
New Zealand skydivers bail out over Lake Taupo as plane crashes
 |
| Skydive Taupo which operated the flight said everyone had evacuted safely |
All 13 people on board a small plane, including the pilot, parachuted to safety before the aircraft crashed into a lake on New Zealand's North Island.
The aircraft was taking them on a tandem skydive excursion over Lake Taupo when it suffered engine problems, said the authorities.
No-one was seriously injured, but the case is being investigated.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, Mike Richards, said it was a miracle no-one was killed.
Taupo Mayor David Trewavas said the had plane lost power about 1,300m off the ground and the pilot called for the passengers to evacuate.
"All the precautions were taken and they evacuated the plane safely. The plane then crashed into the lake at a place called Loafer's Paradise," Mr Trewavas told the New Zealand Herald.
Roy Clements, chief executive of Skydive Taupo which organised the trip, said in a statement: "A skydiving plane encountered an engine problem shortly after take-off.
"All parachutes including the pilot exited the plane and landed safely," the statement added.
One witness told local media he heard a loud bang and then saw skydivers leaving the plane.
"It sounded like an engine blowing up. It would've been no longer than 15 seconds between the bang and when the skydivers started jumping out of the plane," he told the Herald.
"It was pretty amazing that they could get out, it's amazing that they're safe." - BBC.
Surprise hail storm sends 14 skydivers hurtling to the ground in Melbourne, Australia
 |
| Many onlookers ran into the sea to rescue one on the victims who slammed into the water |
14 skydivers have been ripped out of the sky by wild winds, with two victims rushed to hospital and 12 others treated by paramedics after the terrifying crash landings.
After a 38-degree sunny day, a fierce storm quickly took hold with the skydivers suddenly facing an intense hail storm and violent winds.
Horrified members of the public looked to the sky as skydivers fell at a rapid pace, battered onto St Kilda beach in Melbourne.
WATCH: The terrifying moment 14 skydivers fall violently through the air.
The skydivers fell through the sky with force, with two crashing into the ocean and another 12 landing across the beach and pier, spread over a wide area.
Senior Paramedic Team Manager, Jo Wilton, said that it was a chaotic scene when they arrived.
During the free fall many were blown across the sky like rag dolls, lucky to escape with only minor injuries.
Gail force winds forced the skydivers to tumble through the air, crashing into the ground or water
The first two survivors were found on St Kilda Pier just after 3pm and were treated by Metropolitan Fire Brigade marine firefighters.
'They were all incredibly lucky. Witnesses say they hit the water or the ground really hard so it could have been a lot worse than what it was,' Senior Paramedic Team Manager Jo Wilton said.
It's understood that two people were sent to Albert Hospital, whilst others were treated at the scene, administered with pain relief and treated for welts and soreness, primarily caused by the hail storm.
'It would have been very frightening for those involved, but they were well cared for at the scene and kept calm.' - Daily Mail.
