MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Hair-raising video shows LAPD cops pulling out pilot from crashed plane just before train hits

The incident reportedly happened Sunday afternoon, January 9, near the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles

A video has gone viral on the internet that showed a shocking moment when Los Angeles police officers heroically saved a pilot from a crashed plane. The incident reportedly happened Sunday afternoon, January 9, near the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles when the unidentified pilot flying a Cessna 172 – a single-engine, four-seater – shockingly crash-landed onto railroad tracks, but was rescued before the aircraft was battered by an oncoming train.

The video showed cops running towards the crash site and taking out the bloodied pilot from the wreckage before pulling him down the street, away from the train tracks. “Go, go, go, go, go,” a cop was heard yelling as seconds later, a Metrolink train ran over the plane. Official account of the LAPD has shared the video on Twitter and wrote: “Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft.”

READ MORE

Viral video shows Florida 'Karen' throwing drink at bartender after finding bug in it

Nurse busts woman shopping at Ross's HOURS after testing Covid positive in viral video

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the accident happened around 2:10 pm soon after the plane took off from Whiteman Airport in the San Fernando Valley community of Pacoima. The pilot was the only person inside the aircraft and it’s been said he’s been shifted to a hospital for treatment. The cause of the crash is not known yet, and the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will probe it. The San Jose Mercury News reported that the owner of the plane is a Santa Clarita resident, who has a valid registration through May 2025.

There is another video on Twitter showing a bystander who almost got hit by the debris when the train collided with the crashed aircraft. A lot of people have reacted to the videos with one saying, “As a railroad engineer I can't be more proud of these officers. Hitting an occupied vehicle or an individual on the tracks stays with you forever. Knowing the occupant was clear of the tracks when the train hit the plane will let the Engineer sleep easier.”

Another one wrote, “LAPD took the time to close the intersection, tape the scene to keep people out, and than when they saw the train coming they pulled the guy out. Next time pull the guy out first. Everyone could have lost their life. Nonetheless the officers saved a life. Thank you LAPD.” “did you listen? the train was screaming down the track. they obviously knew but were helpless to stop & were trying to do their best to alert all of its proximity. it takes them miles to slow down, this was truly a best case scenario.” the third one added.

A person tweeted, “Outstanding job Foothill Officers! Their quick actions saved the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne, just before an oncoming train!” Actress Jewel Shepard also reacted to the video as she said, “Wow! That is some video. Congrats. Took my breath away. Thank you for your courage and bravery.” “Kudos to the folks in blue for saving the day!! Super glad though that @Metrolink laid on their horn as they blew through that intersection AND plane. Like for crying out loud aren’t there controls on those trains now to prevent this from happening?” a tweet read.

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.