Nymboida National Park: Haunting photo of father and son emerges after pair were killed in light plane crash
By Hannah Wilcox For Daily Mail Australia[1]
Published: 11:02, 17 December 2023 | Updated: 11:15, 17 December 2023
A photo of a father and son who were tragically killed in a freak plane crash has emerged showing the pair in the cockpit with broad smiles.
Experienced pilot Lane Kokshoorn, aged in his 30s, and his primary-school-aged son, were travelling in a Highlander Rotax 914UL before it clipped powerlines and nose-dived onto a property near the Clarence River close to the Nymboida National Park about 8.30 am on Tuesday.
Police confirmed the aircraft burst into flames after the impact with the pair declared dead at the scene.
On Thursday, grieving family members shared a photo on social media of the two doing what they loved best - flying together in the light plane.
Mr Kokshoorn is seen grinning in the cockpit, wearing red sunglasses and a black cap, with his beaming son in the passenger seat.
Lane Kokshoorn, aged in his 30s, and his primary-school-aged son were travelling in a Highlander Rotax 914UL before tragedy struck
The haunting image sparked and outpouring of love and support online as the family prepare to hold a funeral for the pair on December 22.
'A celebration of their lives,' the invite reads, 'Two beautiful souls shall soar the sky's (sic) forever.'
The doomed aircraft left the Gold Coast on Sunday night, with the father and son in good spirits when they left the Southport Flying Club at about 9am on Monday.
Police believe the pair stopped for the night before departing on Tuesday morning.
The light plane crashed just a few hours later.
The light aircraft clipped powerlines before crashing on the banks of the Clarence River
Mr Kokshoorn (pictured) was an experienced pilot who flew Boeing 787's for All Nippon Airlines - one of Japan 's biggest airlines operating out of Tokyo
'A recreational aircraft clipped a powerline, as a consequence of that then crashed onto the banks of the Clarence River,' Acting Inspector Aaron van Schaik said.
'Unfortunately, the plane caught fire after the impact.'
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is not investigating the crash.
However, NSW Police are continuing investigations with assistance from Recreational Aviation Australia.
References
- ^ Hannah Wilcox For Daily Mail Australia (www.dailymail.co.uk)