Wingwalker plane is recovered from the water at Sandbanks after crash

The wingwalker plane crashed into the harbour after performing at the Bournemouth Air Festival on Saturday afternoon.

Two crew members suffered minor injuries in the incident and were taken to hospital.

Picture: Zachary Culpin/BNPS

• Hero pilot 'deserves a medal' says family who pulled wingwalkers to safety

Picture: Zachary Culpin/BNPS

Air Festival director Jon Weaver said on Sunday morning that the pair had since been discharged from hospital.

The site was secured following the incident with members of the public were requested to avoid the area.

Recovery of the aircraft was subject to tides and harbour traffic.

Police have been on the scene for much of the day. An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the crash.

• IN FULL: Bournemouth Air Festival statement after wingwalkers plane crash

Flying at Bournemouth Air Festival was suspended on Saturday following the crash but resumed on Sunday.

Libby Chambers and her partner were on their dinghy with their three children when they witnessed the biplane ‘flip head-over-heels’. 

Libby said: “The bi-plane literally just crash landed before the chain ferry, it was so low and you could hear the engine cutting out."

She added: “The pilot was incredible, he deserves a medal - I have no idea how he missed the rocks, the marker and the boats - he was just out of this world."

The Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers are billed at the world's only formation wingwalking team.

Since they were founded in 1984, they have performed at more than 2,500 different events in 20 different countries.

Picture: Zachary Culpin/BNPS

The aircraft used by the team are modified 1940 Boeing 'Super Stearman' biplanes.

Manoeuvres with the wingwalkers on top include loops, rolls, stall turns and inverted flight.

During these manoeuvres the wingwalkers experience speeds of up to 150mph and 'G' forces of up to 4G.