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Plane ditches in sea off Blackpool coast
A PLANE carrying one person has ditched in the sea off the Fylde coast.
The female pilot sent out a May Day to Blackpool's air traffic control after experiencing engine trouble.
The incident happened just after midday.
It was feared the plane could be forced to make a crash-landing at the resort's airport.
It was finally forced to ditch in the Irish Sea 22 miles off the Blackpool coast.
The pilot was due to land at the Isle of Man after travelling from Guernsey.
She was picked up by a rig supply boat and taken to a nearby gas rig.
CHC Scotia have sent out helicopter to bring her back to Blackpool where she will be taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a check-up.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "All services are on stand-by after the pilot reported engine trouble."
Sue Kendrick, from Blackpool Airport, said: "We had reports a one-man small aircraft was having engine troubles.
"It has been forced to ditch in the sea and the person on board has been picked up."
* Did you see the plane having problems over the coast? E-mail your pictures to jane.lavender@blackpoolgazette.co.uk or jon.rhodes@blackpoolgazette.co.uk.
* Full story, see tomorrow's Gazette
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
