The search for the missing pilot has been called off until Friday after a light aircraft crashed along the Durban North Beach, Sun Coast Casino, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said they worked with members from the South African Police Services (SAPS), Metro Police Search and Rescue as well as the National Sea Rescue Institute to locate the missing pilot.

“Unfortunately at this stage the pilot has not been located,” he said.

The aircraft was part of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit airshow.

According to the Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID), the accident occurred just after 2pm when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft crashed into the sea during its final display.

“The Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement immediately attended to the scene. The AIID will provide updates as soon as further information is available,” said AIID at the time.

Earlier, the eThekwini Municipality confirmed the closure of Battery Beach to conduct a proper search for the missing pilot.

The municipality stated it will monitor developments and provide updates regarding the missing pilot.

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Robert Netshuinda, announced that the aircraft’s wreckage has been recovered and the search for the missing pilot is continuing.

“Police search and rescue team, working together with their private counterparts have recovered some wreckage of the aircraft and the search for the pilot is ongoing,” he said.

Netshuinda said the search will resume on Friday morning.

*This is a developing story

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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