Louisiana sheriff’s deputies rescue man from crashed helicopter in Mississippi River

Deputies of the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office (WFPSO) in Louisiana have responded to reports of a person floating in the Mississippi River near the mouth of Bayou Sara on Friday, August 20.

According to Sheriff Brian Spillman, when the responding deputies got to the scene, they saw a man clinging to a propane bottle just off the bank.

Recognising the man was in extreme distress, WFPSO Crisis Response Team members launched a rescue vessel and attempted to reach him, while other deputies waded out into the water.

After he was brought to shore, the man told deputies he had left Lafayette in a four-seat, light helicopter before 04:00 local time and went down in the river about 45 minutes later. He was transported to a Baton Rouge hospital suffering from exposure and a possible diabetic condition.

Mr Spillman said the man was in the water for over 12 hours before he was rescued.

The man told deputies he was alone in the aircraft.