Update: Family ‘recovering well’ after plane crash
It is believed that the light plane crashed while landing to refuel.
THE well-known optometrist Willem Nieuwenhuis and his wife Sanja are recovering at the Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London.
The husband and wife and their three children were flying back to Margate Airport from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival on Wednesday when it is believed their light plane crashed while landing at East London Airport to refuel.
According to family Willem’s mother, Anna the family is doing well. “My son and his wife are recovering well. Willem injured his arm and knee while Sanja’s legs were injured. They both are expected to undergo surgery this weekend, according to their doctor,” she said.
Mrs Nieuwenhuis added that the couple’s three children, Ruan, Liandri and Talita who were also in the plane were not injured and are with her.
The couple own the aircraft and Willem, who has a practice at Shelly Beach, is an experienced and qualified pilot.
According to reports Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said the circumstances leading up to the accident would be examined and further details would be released in due course.
An investigation will be carried out by the Airports Company of South Africa.
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