A frantic search is ongoing after a light aircraft crashed into the sea just half a mile off Rye Harbour in East Sussex.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with coastguard rescue helicopters from Lydd and Solent combing the skies. RNLI lifeboats from Rye Harbour and Dungeness are scouring the sea for any sign of the missing plane or pilot.
Rye Bay and 1 Coastguard Rescue Teams are conducting thorough shoreline searches in a desperate bid to find the aircraft or its lone occupant.
The alarm was raised at 5.05pm after reports indicated just one person was on board. So far, neither the pilot nor the aircraft have been located. Rescue teams are expected to continue searching until dusk.
At the scene, there are two rescue helicopters, three lifeboats, and two Coastguard Search and Rescue teams involved in the operation.
The dramatic operation is ongoing as officials hope for a breakthrough.
Originally published by UKNIP.
