The Two Planes Floating After Collision
Two people have died after two planes collided and crashed over central Florida on Tuesday, law enforcement officials said.
Authorities have begun search and rescue efforts to find the passengers aboard the planes that collided above Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven, Florida.
“We do believe that there are possibly others deceased,” Polk County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Steve Lester said at a press conference. “We just don’t know yet and can’t confirm any of that.”
One of the planes was operated by Sunrise Aviation on behalf of Polk State College, while the other was ran by Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base, Polk County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News in a statement.
Police responded to a 911 call at 2:04 p.m., local time, about the crash.
One plane is currently floating below the surface of the water while the other sits 21 feet on the lake bed, according to police.
Lester confirmed the collision occurred above the lake, but could not offer any additional details about the planes or passengers involved.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are en route to Lake Hartridge to investigate the collision
