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WINTER HAVEN, Florida – A 17-year-old girl is lucky to still be alive after a plane crashed against the wall of her house and stuck her to a wall, announced the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
"It was a day of miracles," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference.
Aged 17, she suffers minor injuries after a plane crash at home and blocks her against a wall
The plane crashed into the Winter Haven home just before 1 pm. the Saturday. There were two people on board, a pilot and a student trainee. The pilot, James Wagner of Lakeland, aged 64, was killed in the accident. The trainee, Timothy Sheehy, 33, of Montana, left with minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office. We still do not know who was flying the plane.
"It was a day of miracles because trainee pilot Timothy Sheehy did leave the crash, if you can convince yourself," Judd said.
Judd stated that the two men were flying in order to simulate training in the event of engine failure. It is unclear whether they simulated an engine failure at the time of the accident, Judd said.
They took off from Winter Have Airport and the aircraft lost power shortly thereafter.
The 17 year old girl who was in the bedroom where the plane crashed was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"Not only was she in the room where the plane crashed, but she was stuck in the room," Judd said.
The teenager's brother, who was in a nearby room, tried to release her but was unable to do so, according to Judd. She was later released by Winter Haven firefighters.
The teenager's mother was also at home at that time and three children were playing in the alley. They were not injured.
According to Judd, the plane is still stuck in the house and there was a fuel leak. The firefighters stayed on the scene until everything was considered safe. Judd said that the plane would be removed with a crane in a few days, but that it will be left untouched until the NTSB and FAA arrive to investigate. The NTSB will arrive Sunday. MPs watch the scene during the night.
Wagner's son-in-law said that he liked to fly. They said that he had boarded the plane with the student pilot to accommodate a friend.
"The man had to do what he loved to make a living, you know, we lost him today, but he went on doing what he loved, it was learning to fly. " Luis Nunez said.
Nunez said that his father-in-law had been flying since he was a teenager. He stated that he served in the US Air Force and had already flown for Publix and Jimmy Buffet. His family said his experience was one thing, but the example he gave to the family meant a lot more. They said that Wagner was a father.
"For him, the family is everything and he set the tone for us as a family and we will miss him and he will be missed so much," Wagner said.
The Red Cross said that she was helping the family who lives inside the house where the plane crashed. They help them with immediate needs such as a place to stay, food and clothes.
History development, updating updates. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest news.
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