Pilot and 2 Passengers Survive After Crashing into the Atlantic Ocean at Night. Inside 'Heroic' Rescue
A single-engine plane crashed into the ocean off the coast of Vero Beach in Florida on Sunday, June 1
Multiple agencies responded to the mayday call, and a helicopter was able to spot the three passengers in the water
Sheriff Eric Flowers said the survivors "would probably be dead out there today if it weren't for our efforts"Three people were saved in a 'heroic' nighttime rescue after a small plane crashed off the coast of Florida.
On Sunday, June 1, at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time, a mayday call came in from the pilot, Sheriff Eric Flowers of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said at a press conference shared by ABC affiliate WPBF. The pilot was headed to Vero Beach Airport, but crashed into the Atlantic Ocean just a few miles offshore.
Fortunately, a helicopter was able to locate three heat signatures in the water and the pilot and both passengers were pulled to safety, Air and Marine Operations, a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, confirmed in a statement.
Flowers estimated that the three people were treading water for about 45 minutes before they were recovered.
The pilot was the most severely injured, reporting pain in his ribs, however, all three were transported to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for further medical examination.
The crash is now being investigated by the NTSB and FAA.
'This is just an incredibly heroic event,' Flowers said of the joint agency rescue, noting that the passengers 'would probably be dead out there today if it weren't for our efforts.'
Flowers said that the mayday call, which provided officials with coordinates, and a witness sighting were crucial in the rescue.
A helicopter 'spotted the persons in the water and directed rescue boats to their location,' the sheriff's office said in a statement shared on Facebook.
When rescue teams got to the scene, the two passengers 'were pointing' to the pilot.
Deputy Pilot Jonathan Lozada noted that the dark surroundings added to the danger of the rescue. Another was the distance from land.
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'That's a challenge for us. We don't normally fly out, three miles out in the ocean,' said Flowers. 'So, they definitely put their own lives at risk.'
Despite the risk, everyone involved in the rescue is grateful they were able to save all of the survivors.
'It's just an incredible story. I can't wait for you guys to hopefully get to a day to talk to the people who were actually in the plane,' Flowers said, addressing the group of reporters. 'Because, on our side, it's phenomenal.'
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