Seaplane crashes into Lake Meridian, pilot pulled from water – KIRO 7 News Seattle

KENT, Wash. – Police, fire and rescue crews responded to the crash of a seaplane on Lake Meridian in Kent Saturday morning after several callers to 911 reported the plane had plunged into the lake and was sinking upside down.

Emergency callers reported to Kent Police that the plane crashed at around 10:00 a.m. They added that it was about 90 meters from shore and that several boaters were already trying to search for passengers.

Kent Police Department patrol officers, Puget Sound Fire firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene.

According to the Puget Sound Fire Department, when crews arrived they found a small plane upside down in the water. Firefighters, a Kent Police officer and a local resident reportedly entered the water to rescue the pilot.

Kent Police reported that the pilot was the only occupant. He was found and removed from the plane. Officials said he was unconscious and resuscitation efforts were immediately initiated.

KIRO 7's Brandon Thompson went to the scene and spoke with Pat Pawlak, Puget Sound Fire spokesman.

Pawlak says the boaters and community members who prevented the plane from drifting actively helped first responders quickly recover and resuscitate the pilot.

“Without the help of the citizens, the community members here, the outcome may have been different. We thank all the community members and firefighters who were here, as well as the Kent Police Department, from the bottom of our hearts,” Pawlak said.

According to Pawlak, the pilot was taken to a Seattle-area hospital with life-threatening injuries. A spokesman for Harborview Medical Center confirmed that the pilot was taken there and admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition.

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