B.D.F. plane crash lands; no one hurt

A Belize Defence Force aircraft made an emergency landing today and while the plane likely suffered heavy damage, all eight passengers and crew were unhurt. The drama infolded around three this afternoon when the twin engine Britten-Norman Islander, en route from Punta Gorda to the Philip Goldson International Airport, experienced difficulties and was forced to land in a marshy area five miles north of Gales Point. Rescue of the eight soldiers was coordinated by BATSUB and effected by a British battle group undergoing training in Belize using a Puma helicopter. According to B.D.F. Lieutenant Colonel Reuel Black, an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.