The pilot of the plane owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil saved the lives of those in the jet before he died in the tragic crash, his daughter claims.
The private jet veered off of the runway after landing and crashed into a plane parked on the runway at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona on Monday (February 10). Tragically, the 78-year-old pilot of the plane was killed in the crash and three others – including Neil’s girlfriend Rain Hannah – were rushed to hospital with injuries.
Hannah, her friend and a co-pilot were the three who survived the fatal crash that happened at around 2.45pm local time. It came just days after the American Airlines plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington DC on January 29 that left 67 dead.
It’s said Joie Vitosky, the veteran pirate of the aircraft, managed to save the rockstar’s girlfriend and the other two individuals with his heroic actions before he lost his life in the crash. Vitosky’s daughter, Jana Schertzer, told The Arizona Republic: “I honestly, wholeheartedly believe that the reason those other passengers are alive — it’s because of how he handled it yesterday.”
(Image: @Stevenielsen/X)
Jana said Joie, a former Marine who had over 60 years experience in planes and helicopters, had been in great health before the accident. “His vision was perfect — better than 20/20 vision,” she said.
Motley Crue confirmed the heartbreaking crash – and the pilot’s death – in a statement. It read: “Earlier today, a private plane owned by Vince Neil was involved in a crash near Scottsdale, AZ. The pilot was tragically killed; the co-pilot and other passengers were taken to local hospitals.
(Image: Getty Images for ACM)
“Vince was not on the plane. Vince‘s girlfriend and her friend suffered injuries, albeit not life-threatening. While details are still emerging, our hearts go out to the families about the pilot who lost his life in the passengers who suffered injuries.
“Mötley Crüe will announce a way to help support the family of the deceased pilot -stand by for an announcement very soon.”
Ann Vitosky, Joie’s wife, said he had been flying with Neil for a few years. He had also flown for the likes of Ronald Regan’s daughter Maureen and Jesse Jackson, as well as companies like FedEx.
(Image: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
It’s believed the landing gear on the private jet failed before the deadly crash, which is being investigated by authorities. Hannah reportedly suffered five broken ribs and is being treated at a trauma centre, while th co-pilot suffered minor injuries.
Scottsdale Fire Department Captain Dave Folio said: “We have five souls, one (dead on arrival), two immediate that have been transported to local trauma centers, one delayed stable to a local hospital, and this is still an active scene.”
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed the harrowing event: “A Learjet 35A veered off the runway after landing and crashed into a Gulfstream 200 business jet on the ramp at Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona around 2:45 p.m. local time Monday, Feb. 10. We do not know how many people were on board. The FAA is temporarily pausing flights into the airport.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
