Kenyan two-time Olympic champion in the 800 metres, David Rudisha, survives a plane crash in his home country

Two-time Olympic champion David Rudisha has survived a plane crash in Kenya after a light plane suffered engine failure just minutes after takeoff before crashing upside down.

The world record holder in the 800 meters was one of five passengers on board the aircraft that departed from Kimana on Saturday.

The 33-year-old said the plane’s engine stopped about eight minutes into the flight, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing.

“Everything was almost seven or eight minutes into the flight when the plane’s engine suddenly shut down,” Rudisha told the Everyday Nation.

‘He [the pilot] saw a clear space where he tried to land the plane, but one of its wings hit a tree as the plane started to spin before landing on the rocky field.

“We thank God we all made it out alive with some soft tissue injuries that were treated before all but one were discharged.

“It was a scary episode where you hold your heart in your hand while you pray to God. The pilot did a fantastic job keeping the plane afloat and stable for a long time.”

Rudisha attended the Maasai Olympic Games at the Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary, which is held close to Kilimanjaro.

Rudisha attended the Maasai Olympic Games in Kimana as a patron of the event

The Kenyan middle distance runner is a patron of the event, which is run by the Big Life Foundation in partnership with Maasai leaders.

The Massai Olympics are meant to provide an alternative rite of passage, where young boys previously had to fight and kill a lion.

The Big Life Foundation, a conservation organization, has confirmed that there will be an investigation into the crash.

“As usual after an aircraft crash, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority will conduct an investigation,” a statement said. Until they complete their report, it is not appropriate to comment further.

“Best wishes from Big Life and all involved in the Maasai Olympics are with the injured passenger for a speedy recovery.”

Rudisha had previously come out of a horrific car accident in 2019 unharmed

Kenya Masters Athletics president Stephen Ole Marai suffered rib injuries in the crash and is being treated in hospital.

Rudisha, who set the world record in the 800 meters at the 2012 London Olympics with a time of 1:40.91 before defending his title in Rio 2016, had previously survived a car crash in 2019.

The two-time world champion escaped with minor injuries when his SUV collided with a bus after one of his tires burst.

Rudisha has not played international matches in five years, with the Kenyan great reportedly considering taking up coaching.