WHITE RIVER – A Fire Fighting Association owned spotter aircraft had to do an emergency landing while attempting to fight fires caused by protesters.
A violent strike erupted early on Monday morning on the Mbonetsweni Road between Kabokweni and Plaston. According to sources at the scene, residents of nearby villages were unhappy about ongoing water issues and expressed their frustration by setting the veld alight and blockading the road between White River and Plaston.
Contrary to earlier reports, Working on Fire confirmed that the aircraft had not run out of fuel and that a full report will be submitted to the South African Civil Aviation Authority for investigation.
The pilot, Mr Mike Assad was not seriously injured and has been admitted to Mediclinic Nelspruit and according to spokesman Robyn Baard, he is in a stable condition.
Read more on the protests and crash landing in Lowvelder Tuesday.
