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Irish backpacker injured in Oz plane crash 'critical but stable' in intensive care
The scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured.
Emergency services at the scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured. Photos: LifeFlight
The scene of the plane crash on Middle Island in Queensland Photo via: LifeFlight
Jesse Lonnon (13) sustained injuries in the crash
Pilot Les Woodall suffered extensive injuries.
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An Irish backpacker who was left with head injuries after a plane crash in Australia is in a "critical but stable" condition.
The woman (21) was one of four people travelling aboard a light aircraft when it crashed onto a beach at Middle Island in Queensland last Tuesday, January 10.
A British woman, aged 29, was pronounced dead at the scene following attempts by rescue personnel to revive her.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital said the Irish woman remains in the intensive care unit of the hospital but is stable, a week on from the tragedy.
A 13-year-old boy, Jesse Lonnon, who was also travelling in the plane and the plane's pilot, Les Woodall (60s) were also injured in the crash.
Jesse's dad, Jason, was on the scene shortly after the crash and revealed how he watched the plane go down from another plane and then climbed into the wreck to try and cut his son out of the plane.
"We thought they were getting ready to land but they disappeared out of sight behind the sand dune and within a few seconds later we saw the plane wreck on the ground," he told the Brisbane Times.
"It is hard to describe how I felt at the time knowing my son was down in there in that mess.
"I managed to get the door off the plane and we started pulling people onto the beach there was fuel leaking everywhere," he continued.
"He was still trapped in his seat, I had to climb into the wreck and cut the seatbelt away."
An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway and initial indications suggest that engine failure may have caused the crash.
The plane belonged to a tour company called 1770 Castway, which offers adventure tours.
The tour company expressed sympathy with the family in a post on it's Facebook page.
"On behalf of everyone at 1770 Castaway, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and all the loved ones of those involved in the Middle Island tragedy," the company said.
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