NSW: Grandfather says he's blessed family avoided plane crash
18 Dec 2008 1:54 PM
SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - A visit to Santa Claus has saved the lives of a mother and her very young baby whose house was hit by a light plane in Sydney's south-west, the woman's father says.
Gino Velerio says he feels blessed his daughter Bianca Contina and his one-week-old grandson Aiden were not at home at 11.30am (AEDT) on Thursday.
Two people were killed when two light aircraft collided over Casula, sending one of the planes crashing into the rear of the two-storey home on Flame Tree Street where Bianca Contina lives with her husband Steven and their baby.
"I feel blessed," Mr Velerio told reporters.
"She took the baby for a photo with Santa Claus ... some time this morning."
He said Bianca and the baby normally spent most of their time in the kitchen, which is attached to the patio demolished by the plane.
Police have sealed off Flame Tree Street, with police and fire personnel still working at the scene of the fatal crash.
