THANKS: Rescuers Matt Ash, Paul Walters and Mark Morrissy, right, with seaplane crash survivors Doug and Elaine "Miffy" Smith. It was an emotional reunion on Geelong's waterfront when Leopold's Miffy and Doug Smith met the men who helped save their lives.
The couple were aboard a Geelong seaplane and approaching Corio Bay when their aircraft plunged into the murky waters about 3.15pm on January 22.
They were expecting a smooth, serene landing but as their seaplane descended on to the bay they knew something was wrong.
Seconds later the pair were being wrenched from the sunken plane, blood gushing from Doug's head and Miffy struggling, pinned under the aircraft that was meant to be a treat for the adventurous duo.
Doug, 79, is still recovering from the ordeal but praised the pilot and three members of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) for saving their lives.
"I remember the flight was beautiful but when we came in to land, the plane just somersaulted," he recalled.
"I was holding my breath and I couldn't see Miffy, the water just came in too quickly.
"That young man (the pilot) saved our lives."
When emergency crews arrived at the plane crash, about 50m off Cunningham Pier, the plane was already on its roof.
Witnesses recalled seeing the plane coming in to land before it "dropped from the sky" in front of dozens of horrified onlookers.
Doug suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder as well as a black eye. But it's the mental scars that have taken a toll. He has been rushed back to hospital by ambulance four times since the accident.
But the thrill seeker isn't one to dwell on the bad.
"I got the best shiner, I was proud of it," he laughed.
"And when the yacht club men arrived and pulled us into their boat I could've kissed them."
Rescuer Mark Morrissy, from the RGYC, was with fellow employees Paul Walters and Matt Ash at the time of the disaster.
He said the misadventure could have ended far worse.
"I remember we were setting up for the Festival of Sails when Paul got a call from a member who heard a mayday call from the Freedom cruise boat. We looked up, saw the plane, and jumped straight in our boat," he recalled.
"The others stripped down to their bare essentials ready to get in, then we spotted Doug, then Miffy.
"The pilot did a fantastic job to organize them, then we stepped in and got them back to shore."
Daughter Kelly O'Brien said her father and stepmother loved to fly but hoped they'd keep two feet firmly on the ground for a little while longer.
Miffy, 63, of Pelican Shore, said they were still thanking their lucky stars to be alive.
At 15, she nearly drowned and hadn't been in the ocean since. "You lay awake at night and wonder who your rescuers were," she said. "All I could hear were voices."
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