Kayakers Rescue Pilot After Plane Crashes In Creek Near Edgewater

EDGEWATER, MD — Kayakers rescued the pilot of a Piper Cherokee single-engine plane that crashed into Beards Creek on Monday morning, not far from Lee Airport, authorities said.

The pilot and sole occupant is identified as Steve Couchman, 71, of Frederick, according to the Maryland State Police. He was taken by ambulance to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries suffered in the crash.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m. Monday, Maryland State Police from the Glen Burnie and Annapolis Barracks were dispatched to the report of a plane crash near Lee Airport in Edgewater. According to a state police news release, moments after Couchman took off, the plane's engine began sputtering. Witnesses told police they heard the sputter and shortly thereafter, they heard the plane crash into Beards Creek.

Two nearby civilians and an on-duty police officer from the Anne Arundel County Police Department who heard the call, used three kayaks to skim across the iced creek to help Couchman, according to the state police. While the plane was sinking, the pilot escaped his plane and stood on the wing. Once the kayakers were close enough, Couchman was able to hang on to one of them to stay afloat.

Moments later, officers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police reached the scene by boat. An officer cut through the ice and pulled the pilot safely into the boat and took him to the Annapolis Landing Marina nearby, where he was subsequently taken by ambulance to the hospital.

None of the kayakers were injured during the rescue operation.

The pilot's injuries were not life-threatening, officials with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department said.

Lee Airport serves primarily civilian small planes, WBAL-TV reported.

"Great job by all who responded!" the fire department tweeted.