LIVE: Survivors speak out after ocean plane crash off Florida coast
Updated: 8:59 AM EDT May 14, 2026
Survivors are speaking out for the first time after a plane went down 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne on Tuesday. Video showed the rescue operation after the plane, which was en route to Freeport, Bahamas, crashed. Eleven people drifted on a raft for about five hours.The pilot activated the emergency locator transmitter before losing communications. By the time combat rescue crews arrived, the plane had sunk, and 11 people were waiting for help in an orange raft.The victims were then transferred to medical transports and taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center. The hospital is a Level II trauma center capable of treating severe, life-threatening injuries.Officials have not disclosed the severity of the victims’ injuries.The survivors are expected to begin speaking at 9 a.m.>> WESH 2 will stream the address using the video player above.
Survivors are speaking out for the first time after a plane went down 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne on Tuesday.
Video showed the rescue operation after the plane, which was en route to Freeport, Bahamas, crashed. Eleven people drifted on a raft for about five hours.
The pilot activated the emergency locator transmitter before losing communications. By the time combat rescue crews arrived, the plane had sunk, and 11 people were waiting for help in an orange raft.
The victims were then transferred to medical transports and taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center. The hospital is a Level II trauma center capable of treating severe, life-threatening injuries.
Officials have not disclosed the severity of the victims’ injuries.
The survivors are expected to begin speaking at 9 a.m.
>> WESH 2 will stream the address using the video player above.