A man has suffered suspected spinal injuries after a plane crashed near Clutha River yesterday and another man is believed to have broken his arm.

Balclutha Police, two fire units, two ambulances and a rescue helicopter were called to the KITFOX aircraft crash at 2.15pm on Saturday when two occupants out of the plane were found being assisted by a local farmer.

A 46-year-old male was lying on the ground and later ascertained to have suspected spinal injuries.

The other male, aged 48, was walking but had a suspected broken arm.

The Balclutha Fire Brigade sprayed foam across the scene as fuel was leaking from the left wing.

The right wing had broken off and the plane sustained serious frontal damage.

Police placed a guard on the scene whilst Civil Aviation Authority made arrangements for the plane to be recovered tonight.

The CAA will be conducting an investigation into the crash, assisted by Balclutha Police.

Police say the plane had been taking off from Balclutha Airport piloted by the owner of the plane, who was the trainee pilot, when the engine began coughing.

'The instructor took over control and attempted to land on a flat area across the Balclutha River however the plane crash landed on what appears to rough ground.”