CNN
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert used Jet Skis to assist rescue the occupants of a helicopter after it crash landed within the water on Thursday, he stated in a press convention on Friday.
He and his two brothers, Tyler and Brett, had been jet snowboarding in Hillsborough Bay, Florida when he stated they heard “a faint noise.”
“We rotated… and I simply keep in mind seeking to the west and seeing – it virtually appeared like a crew boat that had damaged up within the water into about 4 items – and I vaguely keep in mind seeing like two yellow lifejackets,” Gabbert stated.
As soon as he reached the location, Gabbert stated he realized that it was a helicopter within the water and anticipated the “worst case situation.”
Tampa police stated that the helicopter was making its manner again to Peter O. Knight Airport when the pilot allegedly heard a loud bang after which misplaced energy.
Roughly 300 ft from the airport’s seaside, the pilot carried out an emergency touchdown into the water close to the Davis Islands Yacht Membership, police stated, with all occupants ending up within the water.
“It appeared like they had been in misery. We raced over there, the youngest child had simply come up and he stated he was pinned in there and I requested if anybody else was trapped,” Gabbert stated, recalling later within the press convention that the household had been all visibly shaken up and coated in oil from the crash touchdown.
“Then I referred to as 911, tried to stay as calm as doable…I used to be excellent place, proper time. The credit score actually goes out to Tampa police division, the hearth division, and the Sheriff’s division as a result of they had been there inside 5 seconds.
“It was fairly outstanding. I bought two on my Jet Ski, my brothers bought one, the pilot was nonetheless within the water. That was while you guys confirmed up.”
Footage captured by the Tampa Police Division, who arrived on the scene shortly after Gabbert and his brothers, present the Jet Skis circling the crash web site, and the helicopter pilot climbing aboard the police boat.
Gabbert and his brothers piloted their Jet Skis safely again to the seaside, and he was made an honorary member of the Tampa Police Marine Patrol after his half in Thursday’s rescue.
