At least five people have died after a small police plane crashed into the sea near a popular beach town in Thailand, authorities said.
Royal Thai Police spokesman Archayon Kraithong said the plane was on a test flight in preparation for parachute training in Hua Hin district. The plane crashed around 8 a.m. local time. Although the model of the plane was not immediately shared, photos from the scene showed a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan province’s public relations department said the plane crashed into the sea near Hua Hin Airport. The photos show the plane lying in the sea about 100 meters from the coast and the plane had broken into two pieces.
Spokesperson Archayon confirmed that there were six police officers on board. He initially said five people died on the spot and one died in hospital. He later added that the officer who was taken to hospital was still alive but in critical condition.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Archaon said investigators were now collecting evidence, including the plane’s black box.
Source: Arab News