PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — For the first time, one of the Good Samaritans who helped rescue two people from a plane crash near North Perry Airport is speaking publicly about what happened.
Local 10 News also heard from Pembroke Pines Commissioner Jay Schwartz, who owns the flight school connected to the aircraft involved in the crash.
Investigators said a plane took off from North Perry Airport on May 29. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced engine failure, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing.
The plane crashed outside South Florida State Hospital.
A student pilot and a flight instructor were inside the overturned aircraft. Both were injured but survived, thanks in part to people who rushed to help.
“As I was driving South on University, going back home, I see this plane above me and it looked like it was losing altitude,” said Nathan Gansert, the good samaritan who helped.
According to a police report, the flight school company connected to the plane is Blue Sky, which is owned by Schwartz. The report also states that one of the survivors said the plane had been experiencing engine issues the day before the crash.
On Wednesday, city leaders honored Gansert for helping rescue the two people onboard.
Gansert said he was driving when he noticed a plane flying unusually low before it disappeared from view.
“I noticed I didn’t see it in the sky anymore,” Gansert said. “I turn the corner, turn the other corner and see tree branches on the ground. I see one of the girls start to climb out and I jumped out my car and ran over there and helped the other one. I did what I do best and I guess that being a human.”
Schwartz thanked Gansert during the ceremony.
“You saved our girls,” Schwartz said. “One of them is watching right now. It’s only been five nights. When things get better, we’re going to get together.”
Schwartz said at least one of the crash survivors was watching the ceremony from home.
Both survivors are expected to recover.
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