Two sunbathers killed as light plane lands on beach in Portugal - reports

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Two people have been killed after a light plane made an emergency landing on a beach near Lisbon, according to reports in Portuguese media.

Reports said that two sunbathers, a 50-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl, were killed.

The reports cite witnesses at the beach at Caparica, about 20 miles south of Lisbon. Some sunbathers reportedly ran into the sea.

One witness told cable news channel SIC Noticias that the plane skimmed low over the sunbathers before landing on the beach.



Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/02/sunbathers-killed-as-light-plane-lands-on-beach-in-portugal-reports

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There were, as you'd expect on a beach at the height of summer, plenty of people around:

Link to tweet

I cannot understand why they thought it could possibly be a good idea to use the beach, however bad their problem.

The BBC says the people on the plane were unharmed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40806376

[LisaM]

1. I don't understand the leeway given to people to fly around in small planes.

I see one or two stories a month about planes crash-landing in neighborhoods, on highways, or hitting buildings. I'm appalled that it's even allowed (thought I don't know in this case if the pilot had permission to be there).

[elehhhhna]

4. And those were just Harrison Ford crashes

[miyazaki]

9. Rofl. I think i'ts time for Harry to hang it up. n/t

[LisaM]

15. I know!

Seriously.

[gilbert sullivan]

11. I don't understand the leeway given to people to drive around in small cars.

I see one or two stories a day about cars crashing into homes, buildings, or on highways. I'm appalled that it's even allowed.

[Kaleva]

2. Pilots are trying to save themselves. The heck with anyone on the ground.

Many military pilots lose their lives piloting a crippled plane away from a populated area.

[gilbert sullivan]

12. And so do many civilian pilots.

...

[Kaleva]

14. That is true.

And sometimes a military pilot will eject rather then try and pilot the plane to a place with fewer or no people.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. We all know

God is punishing them for showing their flesh!!

[elehhhhna]

5. Had I been on that beach

Had I been on that beachThe two people who walked away from that plan would not have been happy to see me

[marybourg]

6. Oh.?

You would have become an instrument of vengeance? Judge and jury on the spot? Pardon me if I don't applaud.

[elehhhhna]

7. Did I say that?

[marybourg]

8. Yes. nt

[elehhhhna]

18. Where? Reading comprehension is our friend here at DU.

And I don't argue with anyone's imagination so thanks k bye

[LanternWaste]

10. I often pretend I'd react in as certain way regardless

I often pretend I'd react in as certain way regardless of what my past may otherwise indicate. I suppose it lets us feel less ineffective to do so.

[elehhhhna]

17. Yeah I'm talking big but my hubs is a pilot and you do not land on a crowd. Period.

[Judi Lynn]

19. Interesting, elehhhhna. I've always wondered why good pilots always try to avoid harming others.

Great post. Thank you.

[elehhhhna]

20. Also know that small planes regularly ditch because the pilot is too light in fuel.

Duh, right?

[gilbert sullivan]

13. How very butch.

grr

[Judi Lynn]

16. They certainly don't deserve a round of applause, won't get it from the sane witnesses.

I would hope the memory of the man and the little girl will stay with them.

It surely wasn't necessary to slaughter two human beings just to save themselves.