Harrismith plane crash claims four

Four members of a family were killed when their six-seater airplane crashed in Harrismith in the Free State on Monday afternoon, paramedics said.

The plane, a Beechcraft Bonanza, crashed into the side of the Platberg Mountain in thick mist, said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.

"Sadly, all four passengers on board the plane died," he said.

According to Beeld newspaper the victims were Dr Johan Adriaan Venter, an orthodontist from Vereeniging and his wife Elzabe, both aged 61; their son Christiaan and his wife Christine, both aged 29, and both chartered accountants.

Santjie White of the South African Search and Rescue Organisation said the aircraft, en route from Vereeniging to Margate, diverted to Harrismith due to a technical problem.

"Our aeronautical rescue co-ordination centre in Johannesburg was activated after the problem was reported. Contact was lost with the aircraft and shortly thereafter the wreck was spotted by an over flying aircraft when the weather cleared sufficiently."

The airplane crashed into a nearly inaccessible part of the mountain.

Paramedics, who were notified about the crash at 1.30pm, had to walk to the wreckage.

The Civil Aviation Authority's Phindile Gwebu said a helicopter with rescuers was dispatched to the scene. Paramedics and police were still working at the scene by 4pm, she said. - Sapa