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Updated Saturday, 12pm: Avalon Airshow will continue following a stunt plane crash during a late display on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning, it was confirmed that the pilot involved was Glenn Collins, who was flying for Paul Bennet Airshows.
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Collins is understood to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
“There was an accident yesterday involving one of our long time Sky Aces pilots during the aerobatic display at the Avalon Australian International Airshow,” Paul Bennet Airshows said in a statement.
“The Bennet family and the Paul Bennet Airshows team are thinking of Glenn Collins, who remains in hospital, and his family at this time.
“We would like to acknowledge the extraordinary level of support from medical staff as well as messages of support received from here and around the world.
“Paul Bennet Airshows will not be performing at the Avalon Australian International Airshow but we hope the public continue to enjoy the world class event.”
The accident saw Collins’ Pitts aircraft crash on the tarmac at roughly 5:15pm during a display with the Sky Aces aerobatic team.
“The incident occurred a significant distance away from spectators and there have been no reports of further injuries,” Victoria Police said.
“The exact circumstance surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.”
At 6pm, organisers announced one unnamed pilot was alive and in a critical but stable condition, with Justin Giddings, chief executive of AMDA Foundation, releasing the following statement shortly before 8pm:
“The Avalon Australian International Airshow confirms that an incident occurred this afternoon involving a single aerobatic display aircraft. The aircraft was conducting an aerobatic manoeuvre and hit the ground.
“The pilot is in a serious but stable condition and has been transferred to hospital for treatment. The incident occurred well away from the crowds in attendance and no member of the public was injured.
“The Avalon Australian International Airshow concluded the day’s activities to allow the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation team to have full and free access to the site. We are continuing with preparations to recommence the airshow tomorrow morning.
“Our thoughts are with the pilot and his family, friends and team members.”
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
