Ballarat Clarendon College has issued a statement confirming no members of the school community were involved in a horror plane crash in Essendon this morning.

Emergency services remain at the Essendon DFO site after a light plane crashed into the shopping centre early this morning. The plane was a light-charter plane travelling to King Island.

Ballarat Clarendon College has a campus at King Island and a group of year 8 students are currently based at that campus. 

School spokeswoman Jennifer McGie expressed sympathy to those involved in the tragedy.

“Thankfully, no member of the Ballarat Clarendon College community, including our King Island team, was involved,” Ms McGie said.

“There is no connection between what happened this morning and our program.

“We want to reassure the parents of our Year 8 students currently on King Island that we have complete confidence in Vortex Air, Moorabbin, which we have worked with over many years.

“Our experienced King Island staff will work with the team at Vortex Air to manage this Friday’s return flights.

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to those impacted by this accident.” 

Five people were on board the plane. Authorities are yet to confirm the number of casualties.