NZ skydivers avert disaster, bail from plane shortly after take-off

Thirteen people have managed to escape serious injury after the skydiving plane they were travelling in crashed into a lake in New Zealand today.

Six crew members, six passengers and a pilot were on board the Skydive Taupo plane when it encountered an engine problem shortly after take-off, the New Zealand Herald reports.

Those on board exited the plane in tandem, immediately before the plane nosedived into Lake Taupo.

Police were alerted to the crash at about 12.15pm.

All 13 people have now been assessed by paramedics, and early reports suggest only one person sustained minor injuries when they were scratched by a blackberry bush.

Skydive Taupo chief executive Roy Clements released a statement saying: "All parachutes including the pilot exited the plane and landed safely".

The Civil Aviation Authority were notified of the crash and police will assist with any investigations.