Pilot rescued after Channel ditch
A pilot was rescued in his lifejacket after a light aircraft ditched in the English Channel, coastguards have said.
The plane, which did not have any passengers, came down after suffering reported engine failure off the south Kent coast.
A Dover Coastguard spokesman said: "At 3pm this afternoon we received a call from Lydd Airport air traffic control reporting a light aircraft with engine failure eight miles south east of Lydd."
He added: "At the same time a south-west bound vessel in the Dover Strait reported a light aircraft ditching in the vicinity.
"The vessel immediately went to give assistance as did another vessel.
"The pilot was rescued from the wreckage by the Dutch Faith vessel.
"The casualty was transferred to the Dungeness lifeboat and transported by a rescue helicopter to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with slight injuries."
