Mid-air collision: local residents rushed to plane crash sites

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Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into Saturday’s tragedy near Camden which claimed the lives of three people aboard two light aircraft

Three men died after the planes collided in mid air before crashing and killing everyone aboard around noon.

One of the planes involved was flying between Cessnock in the Hunter Valley and Wollongong and there were two people aboard.

An ultra light plane with the pilot only on board had taken off from nearby airfield at The Oaks, which is located next to a local sports field.

Local residents of Belimbla Park witnessed the planes crash to the ground about one kilometre apart and ran to the scene but police said there was nothing they could do.

Authorities which examined the scene soon after said neither of the crashes was “survivable’’.

One of the planes burst into flames on impact.

Emergency personnel had to walk to gain access to the crash sites because of the terrain.

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In a separate incident over the weekend, a motorcycle rider died following in a collision with a car in Rosemeadow.

Police say that shortly after midday on Sunday, emergency services responded to reports of a crash between a motorcycle and a car at the intersection of Cleopatra Drive and Julius Road, Rosemeadow.

The motorcycle rider, a 27-year-old man, died at the scene prior to the arrival of emergency services.

The 33-year-old female driver and sole occupant of the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

She was taken to Campbelltown Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from Campbelltown Police Area Command established a crime scene, and the incident will be investigated by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Traffic diversions had to be put in place and motorists were asked to avoid the area in the hours after the tragedy.

As investigations commence, police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has any available dashcam or mobile phone footage to contact Campbelltown Police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

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