Doctors killed in plane crash
TWO Warwick-based doctors were killed in a light plane crash west of Bundaberg yesterday.
Dr Dan Rainolds, 48, and his partner Dr Myrthe Runne, 37, were killed when their Bede BD-4 plane crashed into the grounds of Mundubbera's Small Bore Rifle Club, shortly after taking off at 7.30am.
It burst into flames on impact and their bodies were incinerated.
Yugoslavia-born Dr Rainolds and Dr Runne, who was born in the Netherlands, were light aircraft enthusiasts with a home base at Warwick's Massie Aerodrome, living at the caretakers' residence.
They travelled extensively and were contracted to work in Monto until June next year, but were believed to be heading back to Massie for a few weeks break.
Work colleagues at Monto Family Practice and Central Queensland Rural Division of General Practice yesterday paid tribute to the promising medicos.
"Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to their family and loved ones," a spokeswoman for the practice said.
"We thank them for their contributions throughout the Central Queensland area. They will be sadly missed."
Monto pilot John MacElroy said the pair had both been avid flyers, with Dr Rainolds a general aviation pilot and Dr Runne a recreational flyer.
"They were very, very nice people - they will be a great loss to the community," he said.
