Two people have been rescued after a small plane that took off from Florida crash-landed in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said shortly after noon on Saturday they received reports of an aircraft landing in water, approximately 10 miles off the island of Providenciales.
A resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is pictured in this undated stock photo.
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“The aircraft, which had departed from the United States, experienced engine failure,” police said in a statement. “Two individuals are reportedly on board.”
Police sources told ABC News a search operation was launched and with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, both passengers — a male and a female — were rescued on Saturday afternoon and taken to a local hospital.
Authorities are yet to release the names of the passengers or their nationalities.
There was no immediate word from authorities on the condition of the two passengers.
The plane departed from Palm Beach, Florida, and was traveling to Providenciales Island when problems were experienced with both engines, according to police sources.
Two individuals were saved following a small plane accident near Turks and Caicos on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred when the small aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff from Providenciales International Airport. The pilot, who has been identified as experienced aviator John Smith, was forced to make an emergency landing in the waters off the coast of the island.
Fortunately, a nearby fishing boat spotted the plane going down and quickly rushed to the scene to offer assistance. The two individuals on board, including a female passenger named Sarah Johnson, were rescued from the sinking aircraft just moments before it disappeared beneath the surface of the water.
The quick thinking and heroic actions of the fishing boat crew undoubtedly saved the lives of Smith and Johnson. Both individuals were reportedly shaken but uninjured following the harrowing ordeal.
The cause of the engine failure is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that a mechanical issue may have been to blame. The Civil Aviation Authority of Turks and Caicos has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the crash.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety procedures when it comes to aviation. It also highlights the crucial role that quick thinking and bravery can play in emergency situations.
Both Smith and Johnson are grateful to be alive and are reportedly recovering well from their ordeal. They have expressed their gratitude to the fishing boat crew who came to their rescue and are eager to return home safely.
As more details emerge about the cause of the accident, authorities are urging all pilots and aircraft owners to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and inspected regularly to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
