ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A critically injured pilot was lifted from an airplane that crashed along the Susitna River.
The Anchorage Daily News reports Alaska Air National Guard pararescuers lowered from an HH60 Pave Hawk helicopter used crash axes and pry tools to extricate 50-year-old Shon Parker from the Piper PA-12 aircraft.
He was flown to an Anchorage hospital.
The crash occurred sometime before 5 p.m. Thursday on a sandbar near Mile 79 Parks Highway. Another pilot called in the crash.
The injured pilot communicated sporadically with rescue officials through a cellphone.
176th Wing spokesman David Bedard says the helicopter hovered about 120 feet (37 meters) above the wreckage to reduce air turbulence. Rescuers fitted the Parker with a cervical collar and hoisted him into the helicopter.
Other agencies also responded.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com
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