Residents, responders who helped save pilot's life honored Monday
VIENNA, Ohio - Monday night Vienna Township trustees wanted to make sure the efforts of a few residents and emergency responders did not go unnoticed. They helped save a pilot's life after his plane crashed in the township this past fall.
It was a chilly day October 29, 2011 when Ron Catchpole took off in a plane for a joy ride from Price Airfield in Vienna.
Friend and fellow pilot Jeff Jardine saw the plane go into the trees on Pleasant Valley Road. He hopped into a truck to try to find it.
"I seen the aircraft first and I thought we were basically looking for the remains and then basically by the Lord's luck there he was in the creek and still alive," Jardine said.
Dr. Robert Bennett, who lives nearby, also ran to help pull Ron out of the water.
He said, "When we got to the scene he was waist deep in water, barely conscious and confused. We could tell he was having difficulty breathing and there was fuel coming from the aircraft so we moved him from the wreckage scene."
They called 911 and once paramedics arrived, they helped get Ron up a steep hill with assistance from the property owner, Bob Boyd, who brought out his four wheeler and trailer.
"I think if there are any heroes it's the fire department. We were there because it was our property. They came, so they should be the ones that are getting the thanks," Boyd said.
The residents, the responders from the Vienna Township Fire and Police Departments and Ohio State Highway Patrol were all recognized by the township trustees for their efforts.
Ron, who is now back to work and is continuing to heal, says he wants to thank everyone.
"They're awesome here but they're awesome every day here not just today, not just for me. These guys are volunteers here every day and look at all the calls they get in a year and you'll see they do this all the time," he said.
Ron says FAA investigators have told him the cause of the crash was probably ice that formed in the carburetor.