Recent DA grad David Darling had quite a first day on the job when he and a fellow lifeguard rescued the pilot of a downed plane, 30 yards off shore from a crowded Rhode Island beach. According to Inside Edition,
“The 62-year-old pilot from Long Island, New York, was seen climbing out on the wing of his aircraft after it crashed Saturday. Moments later, the single-engine plane started sinking nose first. The tail section was poking out of the water.
Two lifeguards sprang into action and pulled the pilot on to a surfboard and bring him to shore. Amazingly, he was unhurt.
One lifeguard was identified as 18-year-old David Darling and it was his first day as a summer lifeguard.”
See video of the rescue and an interview with David on Inside Edition’s web site.