A dramatic nighttime rescue unfolded Sunday evening when a single-engine Cessna Skyhawk went down several miles offshore from Florida’s coast, leaving three people stranded in the Atlantic Ocean before they were safely pulled from the water.
The Indian River Shores Police Department first alerted Air and Marine Operations (AMO), part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, about the crash around sunset. The aircraft reportedly went down roughly 2 to 3 miles off the coast, sparking an immediate, multi-agency search and rescue operation.
Responders included AMO’s Fort Pierce Marine Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local police forces.
A helicopter from the Sheriff’s Office played a critical role by detecting three heat signatures in the dark ocean waters, guiding rescuers to the exact location of the survivors.
By approximately 9:50 p.m., AMO Marine Interdiction Agents had located two survivors in the water and quickly found the third, bringing all aboard their vessel.
The pilot, who confirmed that three individuals had been on the plane, reported severe rib pain from the crash impact. AMO agents promptly assessed his condition, monitoring vital signs and providing initial medical care on the scene. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was transferred to a Coast Guard 45-foot vessel where Emergency Medical Technicians conducted a thorough evaluation.
Meanwhile, all three survivors were transported safely to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce. There, local fire rescue teams were standing by to provide additional medical treatment and stabilization.
Officials have not yet released details about the cause of the crash or the identities of those involved. Investigations are ongoing.
This coordinated rescue highlights the vital role of swift communication and teamwork among federal, state, and local agencies in saving lives under challenging and dangerous conditions.
