Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

St Petersburg Police via Twitter
Scary

Two Irish men critically injured after dramatic Florida plane crash

The private aircraft hit a tree before crash landing in a park.

A PRIVATE PLANE with four Irish people on board has made a dramatic crash landing in a park in the centre of St Petersburg, Florida, local media report.

All four were treated for their injuries, with two men – pilot Grant Jordan (57) and Aloysius Ryan (52) – in stable but critical condition at a nearby hospital, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The other two passengers – Eamonn Harnell (48), and an unnamed teenage girl – are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

Witnesses at Vinoy Park in the city said they saw the single-engine Piper Cherokee aircraft flying dangerously low at around 10.30 am (local time) on Monday.

The plane narrowly missed an apartment block, before hitting a tree in the park, which removed the left wing.

A spokesperson from Albert Whitted airport in St Petersburg told local ABC television that the aircraft had departed the nearby city of Tallahassee at 8.29 am Monday, and was scheduled to arrive in St Petersburg at 9.59 am.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the accident, but witnesses told the local Fox television station that the plane’s engine may have failed shortly before crash-landing.

Read: Unresponsive US plane that flew over Cuba crashes off Jamaican coast>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
4
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.