U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent J. Williams played a key role in rescuing three survivors of a crashed Cessna Skyhawk off the coast of Indian River County last Sunday night.
The victims had been treading water for nearly 90 minutes, miles offshore before they were located by a helicopter from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office using heat signatures. Williams credited the helicopter’s assistance and favorable water conditions for the successful rescue.
Agent Williams and his team arrived at the scene within 30 minutes of receiving the alert. They first spotted two survivors waving and calling out to a third, who identified himself as the pilot. When he appeared disoriented and close to losing consciousness, Williams threw a safety rope and pulled him from the water by hand.
“The ability for the three subjects to be able to keep their hopes up and fight for their lives, to give us time to get there, that was crucial,” said Williams. “They all seemed pretty healthy for the conditions and what they went through. That was, to me, miraculous and amazing.”
All three victims were transferred to the EMT for medical attention and were reported to be in relatively good health, given the circumstances.
