CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Clearwater police have identified the victims in a deadly plane crash that killed three people Thursday.
Clearwater authorities said a small plane crashed into the Bayside Water mobile home park south of the Clearwater mall at about 7 p.m. that day.
“I heard a loud swoosh sound and I looked up into the sky and I saw a small plane go over,” resident Rachelle Roach said. “I saw a plane go into some of our units and I heard a large pop, then the explosion, then fire. All the neighbors that were around said “Call 911.”
As many as nine people were in a mobile home that was struck by the plane, but only two remained inside the unit when the fiery crash happened.
The two people and the pilot were killed in the chaos.
Saturday, authorities identified the on-the-ground victims as Martha Parry, 68, of Clearwater and Mary Ellen Pender, 54, of Treasure Island. Pender was visiting the home at the time.
The pilot was identified as Jemin Patel, 54, of Melbourne Beach.
“Our thoughts are with the three victims and their families,” Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy said. “This tragedy could have been even worse.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
