Coast Guard rescues 2 after plane crashes near St. Petersburg

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/01/2017 01:14 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Sept. 1, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
(305) 965-4672

 Coast Guard rescues 2 after plane crashes near St. Petersburg

Coast Guard crewmembers aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, Florida, rescue two people who crashed Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 in the water near Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida. Only minor injuries were reported and they were transported to the station where EMS was waiting. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Taylor Turner)

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Coast Guard rescued two people Friday after their plane crashed in the water near Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg.

Rescued were Gerald Kerr, a 78-year-old who piloted the plane, and Elizabeth Reynolds a 72-year-old.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received notification at 10:39 a.m. from the Albert Whitted Airport Tower reporting a single-engine plane carrying two people had crashed.

A 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg was diverted and arrived on scene at 10:48 a.m. The boat crew reported two people were in the plane in approximately 3-feet of water.

Two good Samaritans dove in the water to assist the rescue as the boat crew pulled Kerr and Reynolds out of the plane and transported them to Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg where EMS was waiting.

Minor injuries suffered by Reynolds were reported. 

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-USCG-