Updated 10.50pm

Video: RNLI

TWO MEN ESCAPED without injury after they ditched their light aircraft in Lough Erne, near Derrylin in Co Fermanagh earlier today.

No one was injured in the accident which happened at around 4.30pm.

The PSNI confirmed that two men who were on board the aircraft were rescued by a member of the public who was passing by.

Authorities added that the two men are safe and well.

The Enniskillen RNLI said it launched the Atlantic 75 lifeboat and Rescue Water Craft  just after 4.45pm, arriving on the scene 20 minutes later.

The crew located the flashing red tail light of the plane which was submerged approximately two feet under the water. The video above shows a portion of the operation.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Davey Robinson said in a statement this evening that the two men were “very lucky”.

“The fact that they are both safe and unharmed is largely due to the skill of the pilot who managed to ditch the plane in the water near to the shore,” he said.

Lifeboat helm Chris Cathcart added: “The location where we found the aircraft submerged in the water was about hundred metres from the shore.  This undoubtedly helped in the successful outcome of the operation.”

The PSNI also attended the scene earlier this evening.

- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell

First published 6pm

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