URGENT UPDATE: A small plane has made an emergency landing in Heartwell Park, Long Beach, injuring both the pilot and a pedestrian. The incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on October 21, 2023.
According to the Long Beach Fire Department, the aircraft came to a halt on a soccer field within the park, landing on its belly with its landing gear damaged. The fuselage of the plane remained intact, but it raised immediate concerns for those in the vicinity.
During the emergency landing, the aircraft collided with a woman in her 40s who was in the park at the time. Fire department responders quickly arrived on the scene, successfully extracting the pilot, described as an elderly man, from the aircraft. Both individuals were subsequently transported to a local hospital with injuries reported as moderate but stable.
The park is situated near the intersections of Woodruff Avenue and Carson Street, west of the 605 Freeway. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of this emergency landing, and no further details have been released at this moment.
This incident is a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with aviation, especially in populated areas. As the investigation unfolds, officials are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Stay tuned as we bring more updates on this developing story.
