KENT, Wash. — The pilot that crashed his seaplane into Lake Meridian in Kent over the weekend is now fighting for his life.
Several of his neighbors were part of the life saving measures that took place after the crash.
"We felt very helpless,” said Dan Young. “There was nothing we could do.”
Cellphone video of Young and his family show them rushing toward the seaplane they saw crashing into Lake Meridian the morning of Aug. 24, after a 74-year-old pilot tried landing it.
"Dove down, tried to open the door, made several attempts, it was locked, I was out of breath,” said Young.
The Youngs weren't the only neighbors trying to help. Others were calling 911 and diving into the water too. Some shuttled first responders to the scene.
"Brought out a police officer who dove in and tried to open the door,” said Young. “Others brought paramedics and firefighters from other neighboring docks."
Eventually, rescuers were able to break into the cockpit of the plane, getting the pilot out and performing CPR.
"We see them [float planes] coming in and out on a regular basis, but I've never seen a float plane crash here," said Dave Wilson, the president of the Lake Meridian Community Association and friend of the pilot.
Wilson said the pilot’s family is by his side in the hospital as he fights for his life in the ICU at Harborview Medical Center.
"They are praying and have come together as a group. The pilot has four sons and a wife,” said Wilson. “They're all there every day."
And neighbors continue to pull for one of their own.
"Gratitude to all those who helped,” said Young. “The firefighters, the police, the community at large. We are so grateful for them. And we will continue to be praying."