Footage shows police officers rescue pilot from crashed plane seconds before it was destroyed by a train

US

A man has been saved from near-death by police officers in Los Angeles after he crash-landed his plane onto railway tracks seconds before it was hit by a train.

The unnamed pilot was saved from the Cessna by quick-thinking officers who pulled him out just before a high-speed train smashed into the aircraft, sending debris flying everywhere.

The incident happened on Sunday, near to the Los Angeles Police Department’s station in Foothill on Osborne Street, near Whiteman Airport.

Dramatic video obtained by Reuters news agency shows several officers freeing the man from the downed plane, which had crashed shortly after take off in the Pacoima neighbourhood, according to local media.

In it, the police officers and pilot are just a few feet away from the tracks when the passing train destroys the plane.

“The plane had a failed take off and landed on the train tracks at a popular intersection,” said Luis Jimenez, a 21-year-old music composer who filmed the video.

“Just seconds before impact police officers saved the pilot, and a piece of debris almost hit me.”

More on Los Angeles

Separate video footage posted on Twitter by the LAPD showed bodycam footage of officers pulling the bleeding pilot from the plane.

The pilot was the sole passenger on the plane and first responders were called at around 2pm.

According to the LAPD’s Valley Bureau, the plane had lost power and crashed into the tracks.

The department applauded its officers, saying in the tweet they had “displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks”.

The pilot was treated for cuts and bruises and is in a stable condition, according to local media.

No one on the train was injured.

Articles You May Like

Police in Wales investigating ‘suspicious’ death of 22-year-old man
Tesla taking delivery of another of world’s largest press for Cybertruck production
Iran issues warning after US strikes on Syria left 19 dead
Coinbase warned by SEC of potential securities charges
Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao sued by CFTC for allegedly violating trading rules