Two people lost their lives after a small plane crashed into a vehicle while making an emergency landing in southwest Florida.
Traffic came to a standstill on Interstate 75 near Pine Ridge road exit in Collier County Following the small plane crash.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that five people were on board the aircraft, identified as a Bombardier Challenger.
According to an eyewitness, Brianna Walker told Reuters news agency she saw the wing of the plane drag the car in front of hers and slam into a wall on the highway.
“Only seconds separated us from the car in front of us,” she said. “The wing completely pulverized this one car.”
Ms. Walker and her friend spotted the plane just moments before it hit the highway, enabling her friend to pull over before the crash occurred.
She added, “The plane was just inches above our heads. It made a sharp right turn and skidded across the highway.”
“It feels surreal, like a movie. It was only seconds between us and death.”
Naples Airport Authority spokesperson Robin King stated that the plane had departed from an airport at Ohio State University in Columbus at approximately 1 pm.
It had been scheduled to land in Naples around the time of the crash. However, a pilot contacted the control tower at the airport, requesting an emergency landing due to the loss of both engines.
The tower lost contact before airport workers noticed smoke emanating from the interstate, just a few miles away.”
Three out of the five people aboard were rescued from the wreckage alive.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Adam Fisher added that it was not immediately clear whether the two deceased individuals were passengers on the plane or were on the ground at the time of the crash.