Release posted on 10-08-24 at 1:05 PM

At 10:52 a.m., officers responded to reports of a small private plane that crashed just east of the St. Pete Pier. With the assistance of a small boat, an SPPD Officer pulled the four passengers and a small dog from the water.

With the assistance of SPFR, three passengers were treated at the scene and then taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The airplane crashed due to engine failure immediately after takeoff from the Albert Whitted Airport and became fully submerged in the water. The passengers were attempting to evacuate ahead of the storm.