novice1 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 A television fishing show host and his aviator father are in intensive care in a Tasmanian hospital after surviving an ultralight aircraft crash. Nick Duigan co-hosts Southern Cross Television's Hook, Line and Sinker fishing show which airs across regional Australia. Nick and his father John were airlifted to Launceston General Hospital (LGH) last night. They had suffered serious injuries in the crash shortly after taking-off from a private strip on Flinders Island, where the family lives. Police say the aircraft, piloted by John Duigan — whose father John built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft — struggled to gain altitude after take-off and crashed into a hill before flipping over in a paddock. LGH doctor Peter Renshaw said today both men were in intensive care. Their conditions were described as serious but stable. Dr Renshaw said Nick Duigan had suffered a head injury but was conscious. His father was recovering from surgery for an abdominal injury and a broken leg. The fishing show's co-host, Andrew Hart, said after visiting his angling mate in hospital today that he had a badly broken jaw requiring surgery, broken ribs and fractured wrists. "He's fairly battered up but in good spirits, and very happy to be alive," Mr Hart said. Mr Hart said the pair had been taking off on a pleasure flight. John Duigan had recently flown the same aircraft from Tasmania to Uluru and back, he said. Qantas has announced it intends naming one of its new Airbus A380's after the late John Duigan (1882-1951) in recognition of his contribution to the aviation industry. He built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft. The so-called Duigan pusher biplane made the first powered flight by an Australian-designed and built machine when it flew seven metres in Victoria on July 16, 1910. SORRY TO POST HERE DID NOT WHERE ELSE TO DO IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Sorry to hear that. Hope they make a speedy recovery Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnv Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 hope they have a speedy recovery & then back into the fishing scene cheers john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gianniz Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 hope they recover fully. on another note, there are just too many crashes lately it just shows that majority of the people shouldn't be flying. just because you can get a license to fly doesn't mean you should fly. plane isn't a car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hargrooves Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Great show,wishing all a speady recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cupster Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 hope they recover fully. on another note, there are just too many crashes lately it just shows that majority of the people shouldn't be flying. just because you can get a license to fly doesn't mean you should fly. plane isn't a car! Was it pilot error?..Could have been mechanical. But your right, there has been way too many accidents lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now