BOSTON – The Coast Guard responded to reports of a downed private aircraft in the vicinity of Matinicus Island, Maine, Sunday evening.
Coast Guard Station Rockland received a call from Penobscot Air Control relaying information that a small aircraft carrying four people had crashed into the water shortly after takeoff from Matinicus Island. Reports indicate the plane went down approximately 150 yards offshore.
A nearby commercial fishing vessel recovered all four individuals from the water and transferred them to Matinicus Island where they were evaluated by local EMS and transported to Penobscot Bay Hospital in Rockland, Maine.
Two of the four passengers were listed in critical condition and later transported by air ambulance to Eastern Maine Hospital in Bangor, Maine.
The other two passengers remain at Penobscot Bay Hospital.
Coast Guard Station Rockland launched to assess the area of the downed aircraft for potential pollution. At this time, no pollution has been reported.
The Coast Guard will continue to assist partner agencies in investigations to determine what happened.
