Pilot Parachutes Plane To Safety In Galloway: Police

GALLOWAY, NJ — More details have been released in Wednesday afternoon's plane crash in Galloway.

The Cirrus Aircraft crashed in a wooded area on the 200 block of Liebig Street at about 3:42 p.m., Galloway police said.

As police were en route to the scene, the 911 caller said that the plane struck a tree and he was trying to help the pilot exit the aircraft, police said.

The pilot, John Austin Bryan of Florida, safely exited the plane and was evaluated by Galloway Township EMS. Bryan was the only passenger on board, and was uninjured in the crash, police said.

Bryan had taken off in the plane from Atlantic City International Airport but shortly afterwards, began experiencing engine trouble, police said.

Bryan contacted air traffic control, and using the plane's Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, he was able to safely navigate the plane to an area free of people and vehicle traffic, police said.

“Although we do not deal with many plane crashes in Galloway, it was very impressive to see numerous agencies working together on this incident,” said Chief Richard D. Barber. “From the selfless actions of one of our citizens coming to the aid of the pilot, to the amount of first responders rushing to the scene, this is a true testament of the sense of care and community we have in Galloway Township.”