MIAMI (WSVN) - Several questions remain after a helicopter crashed into the water off South Beach without a single mayday call going out.
Beachgoers were shocked to see the helicopter plummet and start to sink not far from them.
“The helicopter was coming towards us. You saw it start to wobble,” said witness Bruce Hunter.
“All of a sudden, it just started falling out of the sky,” said beachgoer Wade Callison.
City surveillance cameras captured the moment of impact, just east of a packed section of sand near 10th Street, at around 1 p.m. on Saturday.
On Monday, Miami Beach Ocean Rescue Lt. Lucas Bocanegra thanked those who witnessed the crash and stepped up to help those inside the helicopter.
“We would like to thank them also, the bystanders that were around there,” said Bocanegra.
“There’s probably like 15 guys trying to keep the helicopter above water,” said witness Avery Callison.
First responders said getting the people who were on board the helicopter out safe was not easy. Although the pilot was out of the plane quickly and one of the passengers was easily removed from the wreckage, the second passenger was trapped, as the aircraft began to roll over.
Hunter was among those who waded into the water to lend a helping hand.
“[The helicopter] is on its side leg. We’re pulling it at an angle, like a 45-degree angle, to keep her out of the water while the pilot’s got a knife. He’s trying to cut the belts out,” he said.
“It was sinking, and they couldn’t get her out, and so, we were trying to hold it up,” said Wade Callison.
Cellphone video captured the rescue, as good Samaritans helped first responders.
“The bystanders did play a huge role in keeping that helicopter above the water,” said Bocanegra.
Fire rescue officials said they typically don’t encourage bystanders to join in a rescue effort, but in this case, their help was needed.
“They helped keep up the helicopter above the water, just enough where the two other occupants who were strapped into their seats, to have their heads above the water so our rescuers could then try to release them,” said Bocanegra.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, not a single mayday call came from the cockpit as the helicopter began to drop.
The occupants on board were reportedly returning from lunch in the Florida Keys at the time of the crash.
The pilot, Robert Arkin, was not seriously injured. Arkin’s wife, Rachelle Arkin, and their friend Morgan Geller were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital as trauma patients. They have since had surgery for their injuries.
One of the victims said the pilot is to be praised for where and how he landed, and for saving their lives after the helicopter began having problems in the air.
The FAA continues to investigate the crash.
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