Two people have managed to escape a 'wing walking' plane crash-landing with just minor injuries after plummeting dramatically into the sea.
Hair-raising pictures showed a crewmember hanging out of the aircraft hanging on for dear life as it plummeted toward Poole Harbour, Dorset.
The craft, which was about to perform in a planned flying displays at Bournemouth Air Festival, dived into the water front of shocked onlookers and quickly sank.
According to Dorset Live, a witness said the plane "narrowly avoided numerous boats and The Haven Hotel" as it headed into the water.
Police say both the pilot and crew were rescued and managed to escape their ordeal with minor injuries.
Photos showed the display aircraft partially submerged in the harbour as nearby boats came to its aid.
Did you witness this incident? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
Witnesses who tweeted pictures of the plane diving toward the water said they were relieved to see the crew pulled to safety.
"Came down right in front of us. Glad to see the crew were rescued ok," one wrote.
Another Twitter user wrote: "Pilot and wing walker uninjured. Plane landed in sea and sank very fast. Great news everyone safe."
Festival organisers tweeted saying an update would be provided later on Saturday evening.
Wing walking is a daredevil stunt performed by experts, involving moving along the wings of a plane during flight and sometimes even hopping between planes.
Emily McGregor, who was at Sandbanks at the time, said: "A small prop plane has just crashed into the sea, narrowly avoiding numerous boats and The Haven Hotel.
"It sank very quickly but initial reports suggest that two people on board managed to get out.
"Police boats and RNLI now on scene. Think they’re now trying to retrieve the black box.
"We saw it go over with another similar plane and I thought it was very low and that the engine sounded rough.
"As it rounded the corner by The Haven it got lower and lower and crashed out of view of people on Sandbanks beach narrowly missing the hotel.
"In August 10 years ago Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging died at the air show."
A Dorset Police statement said: "We received a report at 3.50pm on Saturday 4 September 2021 that a small aircraft had crashed into the water in the Sandbanks area of Poole Harbour. Emergency services are at the scene.
"The aircraft was part of the Bournemouth Air Festival flight schedule with two people reported to be onboard. Both occupants have been rescued and are reported to have sustained minor injuries. They are receiving treatment by the ambulance service.
"An investigation is underway and we would please ask members of the public to avoid the area and harbour to allow emergency services to deal with the incident. A police cordon is currently in place.
"The Bournemouth Air Festival flying schedule has been suspended for today."
Bournemouth Air Festival said: "There has been an incident involving one of the displays away from the display area.
"The crew are safe and sound and are being looked after by the emergency services.
"As a result flying has been suspended until further notice."
A later update read: "Flying has been suspended for this evening. It is our intention to have a display programme reinstated for tomorrow.
"The festival site remains open and all ground-based activities continue with the Birds of Prey, Beat Retreat, trading, Sing-a-long Grease and the fireworks."
Police boats, HM Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) responded to the scene.
