Paddleboarder rescues game warden pilot after plane crashes into lake, TX officials say

A plane crashed into a Texas lake, and a paddleboarder rescued the pilot as the aircraft became submerged in water, according to local media reports.

The small plane with one person inside crashed into Lady Bird Lake shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.

The popular lake borders downtown Austin and is about 3 miles south of the Texas Capitol.

Police said a “nearby paddleboarder” helped rescue the pilot while first responders were called to the lake, KVUE reported. In video shared by EMS, several paddleboarders can be seen on the water.

The pilot was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center with “potentially serious injuries,” authorities said.

“Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is aware that a Game Warden Pilot was involved in a plane crash today in Austin on Lady Bird Lake,” wildlife officials said. “We are gathering more information about the status of the pilot and the airplane.”

Authorities have not said if the pilot was working at the time of the plane crash.

Austin Bergstrom Airport reported its air traffic control tower received notification of an “inbound emergency landing” before the plane crashed into the lake, KXAN reported. The airport is about 6 miles southeast of the lake.

This story was originally published June 16, 2022 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Paddleboarder rescues game warden pilot after plane crashes into lake, TX officials say."