DFES water bomber plane crash: Pilots recover at home after miracle survival

The two pilots of an ill-fated water bomber plane that crashed while battling out-of-control bushfires in the State’s southeast are recovering at home after incredibly walking away from the wreckage.

The pair miraculously survived when their Boeing 737-137 went down in forest between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun about 4.40pm on Monday.

The large air tanker, currently based in WA, had departed Busselton-Margaret River Airport to help battle the blaze just an hour earlier.

The pilots were able to get themselves out of the wreckage before being taken by helicopter to Ravensthorpe Airport. They were then transferred to a local medical facility and then onto Royal Perth hospital overnight where they were caught on camera walking into the emergency department.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed they had been discharged within hours.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau probe is underway, with investigators expected to speak to the pilots and witnesses and visit the wreckage to determine the cause of the crash.

A bushfire watch and act alert remains in place on the eastern side of Fitzgerald River National Park near Hopetoun as about 45 firefighters battle to bring the blaze under control.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services says there is a possible threat to lives and homes as the blaze, which started north of Hamersley Drive and west of Eyre Range, moves in a north-easterly direction.

A bushfire advice is in place for people travelling along the South Coast Highway north of Fitzgerald River National Park and an area bounded to the east by the Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road near Hopetoun.