Pilot Rescued From English Channel

The pilot of a light plane had to be rescued from the English Channel after he was forced to ditch the aircraft when its engine failed.

The man was said to have been stranded on the plane's wing for about an hour waiting to be picked up.

He was later found floating in the water wearing a yellow life jacket and suffering mild hypothermia.

The RAF and Belgium airforce were both involved in the rescue operation.

The pilot was taken by helicopter to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

He had been en route from Lydd in Kent to France when he brought the plane down at 2.30pm, about eight miles from his origin.

He was the only person on board the aircraft.

Michael Mulford from RAF Kinloss told Sky News: "Details are sketchy, but it seems he was able to stay with the aircraft long enough to be rescued by a passing ship.

"It set off an international rescue operation. We were involved and the Belgium airforce launched a helicopter."

A spokesman for the Dover coastguard said it received a call from Lydd Airport air traffic control reporting a light aircraft with engine failure, eight miles south-east of Lydd.

"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 spokesman added it appeared the pilot was able to land the plane and get out.

"He was wearing a life jacket which is a sensible precaution if flying over water," he said.

"The jacket enabled him to be spotted along with the good weather conditions, everything was in his favour."