Rescue mission after sunset mistaken for plane crash on Isle of Sheppey
Callers mistook an Isle
of Sheppey sunset like this for a plane crash
When rescue crews heard there had been a plane crash on the Isle
of Sheppey, they feared the worst.
Sheppey Coastguard was scrambled after Kent Police got reports
of a blazing aircraft crashing into the Thames Estuary near
Minster.
But after an extensive search for the stricken plane, the
"crash" site was discovered - as the SUN
setting!
Two well-meaning elderly women had mistaken the sunset at Royal
Oak Point for an aircraft falling into the water.
Coastguard crews based at Marine Parade, Sheerness, were called
by police at about 4.30pm on Saturday.
Ian Goodwin, a coastal rescue officer at Sheppey Coastguard,
said: "After an extensive search and having spoken to the first
informants - two elderly ladies - the description of the aircraft
and how it got lower in the sky and less bright, led us to the
conclusion that the incident was in fact the sun
setting.
"This was a false alarm with good intent and we were pleased
that there were no casualties."
03/12/12
- Click here for more news from across the county...