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TransAir - Source: ONE News -
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The sole Kiwi survivor of a charter plane crash in Papua New Guinea has been evacuated to Australia.
The 25-year-old co-pilot of the Cessna, which overshot the runway on Misima Island and crashed into trees, bursting into flames yesterday, is in hospital undergoing treatment for heavy bruising.
Three Australians and another New Zealander were killed in the crash.
The New Zealander, who is a permanent resident of Australia is reported to be an employee of medivac company International SOS.
Among the Australians were passenger Chris Hart, 61, from Sydney, and Trans Air charter co-owner and pilot Les Wright, 59, from Queensland.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith confirmed last night five were on board the Tuesday afternoon flight.
"It is with deep regret that I advise Trans Air has confirmed that four of those on board, including three Australians and one New Zealand citizen, have died," Smith said.
"One of the New Zealanders, who is also an Australian permanent resident, survived the accident.
"He received heavy bruising but is conscious and able to talk," he said.
Civil aviation authorities in PNG said it was still too early to say what went wrong but guaranteed a full and complete investigation.
Australian and New Zealand diplomatic staff are on the island to supervise the retrieval of the bodies, and inspect the crash site.
They were joined by PNG air accident investigator Sid O'Toole and other officials.
They will try to have their remains transferred to Port Moresby today.
