Amateur photographer catches fatal plane crash in background on camera

Photographs have captured the shocking moment a plane spiralled out of control and crashed into the sea.

The images were accidentally taken by Whitney Rufo, who was photographing a woman and her baby on a beach in Maryland, America, when the single-engine Nanchang CJ-6A plunged into the Atlantic Ocean.

The plane nose-dived into the water, instantly killing the pilot Thomas Geoghegan, 43, and Joshua Adickes, 27, who was also on board at the time.

The victim's bodies were recovered from the wreckage by divers on Monday and the pair were identified as local police officers.

Witnesses on the beach saw the plane spin several times before hitting the water. According to Maryland State Police the aircraft crashed on Sunday afternoon, half a mile offshore.

A statement released by the Ocean City Police Department said: "Both officers were dedicated and courageous both on and off duty. They had a true love of life, which they demonstrated in their professional and personal pursuits. They exemplified the finest character and their passing is a tremendous loss to the Ocean City Police Department family.

"As we deal with this difficult time, we recall their joyful spirits and professional accomplishments. The Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City Police Department, is a better place because of their attributes, and that is how they will be remembered."

Video footage also captured the incident: