On Thursday evening, a plane collided with a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, resulting in the deaths of three people. Clearwater, with a population of more than 110,000 residents, is located on Florida’s central west coast, about 23 miles west of Tampa. The incident took place at Bayside Waters, a community designated for individuals aged 55 and above.
Martha Parry, aged 86, lost her life when the aircraft crashed into her residence at 2647 Pagoda Drive. Additionally, Mary Ellen Pender, a 54-year-old visitor from Treasure Island, also tragically died in the incident.
Jemin Patel, aged 54 and the pilot of the small aircraft, was among those who lost their lives. Patel, originally from Melbourne Beach, was the owner of Control Data Inc., a corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, as per aviation records indicating ownership of the jet.
At approximately 7 p.m. local time on Thursday, Patel notified authorities of engine issues. He was the only person on board the aircraft. The plane vanished from radar approximately three miles north of the runway near the mobile home community.
Officials reported that approximately ten individuals were present at the mobile home after a day of golf. However, most of them had left before the plane, which had taken off from Vero Beach about an hour earlier, crashed due to an engine malfunction.
The impact resulted in a fire that engulfed the mobile home, causing extensive damage to neighboring properties. Clearwater Fire Department Chief Scott Ehlers stated that the blaze spread to three additional residences.
Upon hearing news reports, Bobby Dixon felt an urge to go to the crash scene. His wife, Mary Ellen Pender, had gone to the community to play golf with nine other companions. Dixon was aware that she often stayed behind to help her friend Martha Parry with household tasks, and as she had not yet returned home, he grew concerned.
Upon his arrival, a police officer stopped Dixon from advancing any closer to the mobile home park. Subsequently, officers arrived with pictures of jewelry belonging to one of the victims. In that instant, he came to the realization that his 54-year-old wife was no longer with him. Dixon mentioned that the husband persisted in visiting the crash site. Law enforcement accompanied him to the debris. Witnessing the devastation, he found solace in the belief that his wife had been spared any pain.
