Three men are in hospital in Southland after a plane crashed as it tried to take off for a hunting trip.
The Cessna 182 hit a fence before flipping onto its roof while attempting to take off. Photo: Supplied
Police said about 3.30pm today emergency services were called to a crash near Thornbury in Southland.
Police said the plane was a Cessna 182, owned by a local farming group, and had one pilot and three passengers, heading into Big Bay for hunting.
Police said the plane was hit by a cross wind when taking off, so the pilot tried to land in a paddock, but skidded and hit a fence, rolled into another paddock, and flipped over.
The pilot was not hurt, but the three passengers received minor injuries, and will be staying in Southland Hospital overnight for observation.
Civil Aviation is investigating.
