In an unbelievable act of bravery, police pull a pilot out of a plane stuck on railroad tracks just seconds before a train hits it going full speed.
A video went viral on January 9th showing police officers with the Los Angeles Police Department displaying true heroism.
These brave officers are seen on camera pulling a pilot out of a small aircraft, which was forced to make an emergency landing on railroad tracks, just seconds before the plane was smashed to pieces by an oncoming train going full speed.
The pilot appeared to already be injured from the landing, with blood covering his face. According to reporting from The Associated Press, the pilot was hospitalized following the incident, and his condition is unknown.
LAPD said in a statement, “Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft.”
WATCH:
Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/DDxtGGIIMo
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 10, 2022
A bystander also recorded video of the train crashing into the plane from another angle, almost getting hit by shrapnel in the process.
WATCH:
Train crashes into plane at Whiteman Airport Van Nuys, CA #ABC7Eyewitness #breakingnews @FOXLA @ABC7 @KTLA pic.twitter.com/D1eEtvaajF
— Luis Jimenez (@ComposerLuis) January 9, 2022
Regarding the emergency plane landing, NBC Los Angeles reported:
“According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was a single-engine Cessna 172. They confirmed the pilot was the only person on board, and that no one on the ground was injured. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the FAA said in a statement. Future updates on the crash will be handled by the NTSB.
No fire was caused by the plane’s crash, and a minor fuel spill has been contained by firefighters. The damaged airplane is still in the area of the Metrolink Antelope Valley line train tracks, as of 2:30 p.m., according to the LAFD. Train movement in the area has been restricted.”
Twitter lit up with praise for the heroic officers who saved the pilot’s life.
“You will not see more dramatic video than this,” local news anchor Jory Rand tweeted. “LAPD officers save a pilot just before his crashed plane is hit by a train!”
“This video is just absolutely insane,” writer Jason Rabinowitz tweeted. “Those cops saved a life were mere seconds to spare.”
“These officers are absolute heroes. They saved his life,” political commentator Ian Miles Cheong tweeted. “The pilot would be dead if not for their bravery.”
