Man seriously injured after plane crashes in lake

A pilot was fighting for his life tonight after the light plane he and a female companion were in crashed into Lake Taupo.

Sergeant James McGrogan, of Taupo police, told NZPA the crash occurred about 8pm, around 200m offshore from Two Mile Bay as the float plane attempted a landing on the water.

Some witness accounts suggested the plane had flipped while landing, although police were still trying to piece together exactly what had happened, he said.

Several people were in the area on their boats and immediately went to the crash scene to rescue the plane's two occupants.

Mr McGrogan said the pilot, a man, suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. The woman suffered minor injuries.

Both had been taken to Taupo Hospital, but it was possible the man would be flown to a larger hospital later tonight, due to the serious nature of his injuries.

The plane was not from the Taupo area, Mr McGrogan said.

- NZPA