Two Witnesses Reported Crash To U.S. Coastguard
LUDINGTON -- UPDATE: 7 & 4 News has confirmed the pilot and survivor of the plane crash is Jerry Freed of Alma. He owns Freed Construction Company. According to his wife,Carol Freed, his injuries are not life threatening. She goes on to say their hopes and prayers are with the others who were on board the plane.
There were five people on board the plane. The four missing passengers include co-pilot Earl Davidson, and three other passengers from the Alma area. They are the Alma schools' superintendent Don Pavlik, his wife, Irene, and family friend Dr. James Hall.
Carol Freed said her husband regularly flew people to the Minnesota hospital on a volunteer basis for 15 years.
Freed was in the water for 45 minutes before he was rescued by a fishing boat. Mike Brake and Billy James saw the plane go down and immediately alerted the U.S. Coastguard.
Rescue crews arrived on scene of the plane crash in Lake Michigan around noon Friday 3.5 miles off the coast of Ludington.
The plane reportedly crashed around 10:15 a.m., Central Standard Time, and Jerry Freed was rescued shortly after noon.
Freed was taken to the Coast Guard Station and transferred to Ludington Memorial Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. The Cessna 206 left Alma Friday morning en route to Rochester, Minn.. The fishermen reported the crash and that the plane sent a distress signal via satellite.
The U.S. Coast Guard search crews from multiple units, assisted by Oceana and Mason County Sheriffs Departments, continue to search Lake Michigan for the plane and the rest of its passengers.
For details on the Cessna 206 CLICK HERE.
