Good Samaritans Help after Plane Goes Down

ST. PETERSBURG (970 WFLA) -- The Coast Guard got some help from Good Samaritans when a plane skidded off the runway at Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Peteresburg Friday. 

News Channel 8 reports three employees of a banner towing company, Ulyses Almarante, Tracy Brunkel and Derrick Helmich responded. Almarante and Brunkel went into the water. Brunkel swam out to the plane and caught up with the passenger, 72 year old Elizabeth Reynolds, then threw a line to the pilot, 78 year old Gerald Kerr. Coast Guard Petty Officer Grant Burns says the two were "shook up" when they got back to shore.

Reynolds and Kerr got checked out by paramedics. Reynolds got treated for minor injuries. 


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