Dramatic Rescue as Soaked Survivor Is Pulled From Water After Deadly Miami Helicopter Crash

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a soaking-wet man was pulled to safety after a helicopter plunged into Biscayne Bay off the coast of Miami, leaving its pilot dead and two passengers injured.

The Robinson R44 helicopter crashed shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, off Key Biscayne.

The aircraft had been carrying three men and was reportedly being used to film boats participating in the Poker Run speedboat event when it suddenly went down into the water.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene after a distress call was made. Images and video from the aftermath showed the helicopter overturned and submerged, with its yellow emergency flotation devices visible above the surface.

One of the most striking moments came as rescuers brought a survivor out of the water. The man, visibly soaked, was helped to safety as emergency crews worked to locate and assist the other occupants.

The two survivors were identified as 52-year-old Ryan McCoy and 27-year-old Ryan Ferraro. Both were initially taken to hospital in critical but stable condition, but authorities later confirmed they had been released.

The pilot, 63-year-old Tomas Pendas, was not as fortunate.

According to Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, a good Samaritan aboard a nearby boat reached one of the victims and began performing CPR before emergency responders arrived.

Marine patrol officers took over the lifesaving efforts and brought the man to shore. Despite attempts to revive him, Pendas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pendas was identified as the president of Global Aerials, the company associated with the helicopter. Ferraro was reported to be the owner of Boats Daily, a marine marketing agency.

The helicopter had departed North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines earlier that morning. Investigators are now examining its flight history, maintenance records, the pilot’s background and the weather conditions at the time of the crash.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Gene Rambo said investigators were examining three broad areas: the people involved, the aircraft itself and the surrounding environment.

Officials have not established what caused the helicopter to fall into the bay. Although South Florida had experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, investigators have not confirmed whether weather played any role.

The wreckage remained underwater as crews prepared to recover it for examination. Investigators said they wanted to minimize further damage during the difficult recovery operation.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

For the two survivors, the rescue brought an end to a frightening ordeal in the water. For the family and colleagues of Pendas, however, the crash ended in a devastating loss.

Source: DAILYMAIL