Novi man saved 6 in plane crash
By Ramez Khuri
STAFF WRITER
Just another day at the beach turns Jamison into a hero
Move over Superman, Batman and Aquaman.
There's a new super hero in town, and for his first heroic act he saved six people from an airplane crash on Lake Huron. All six are doing fine today.
Matt Jamison, Novi resident for over two-and-a-half years, was getting ready for a fun day at the beach on Lake Huron with friends and family last June, when he noticed a low-flying airplane quickly losing altitude.
He first heard the engines coming from Canada, and watched as the craft started to turn south along the shore line. At first Jamison thought the plane was going to land in the water, but as the sequence of events progressed, it quickly became obvious that was not the case.
"After looking at the plane closer it didn't have any pontoons, nor was it the right size to land in the water," said Jamison. "I heard one engine go out and then the other. Then I saw it crash, it skipped twice in the water and then there was a huge splash.
"At that point, I thought 'Oh my God, a plane just crashed,'" he added. "I really didn't think about it at all, and I just got on my Jet Ski and went to see if I could help."
Jamison traveled about three quarters of a mile down the beach. When he got there he saw five passengers already in the water and a bloody-faced pilot clutching to the wreck.
The two women were hysterical and having a hard time staying above water. Jamison went over to them first and ended up pulling them up onto his Jet Ski.
"They were still in shock," said Jamison, "so much so that they almost knocked the Jet Ski over, so I had to jump off."
After stabilizing the Jet Ski, Jamison hopped back on and took the women to shore. He left them there in good hands, as neighbors came out to comfort the women before fire and police crews showed up on the scene.
Have no fear!
Knowing his job wasn't nearly complete, Jamison jumped back onto the Jet Ski and headed back toward the wreckage.
"The plane was essentially under water at this point and the pilot was still holding onto it," said Jamison. "He was exhausted and disoriented, and I couldn't get him onto the Jet Ski. I held on to him with one arm and dragged him to shore. Everyone ended up being fine, even the pilot."
A self-described "typical" person, Jamison describes himself as a helpful and considerate person who cares about his fellow man. And the folks he saved that day couldn't agree more.
"I've spoken to the father a couple times and everyone is doing great," said Jamison. "It was just very fortunate that I happened to be out there at that time to help."
Afterwards, Jamison headed back to his beach party to tell the story.
"It was a pretty wild day," he said. "It's hard to think of myself as a hero, but it sure was an interesting day to say the least. It was pretty surreal from my perspective. It made for an interesting beach party, that's for sure."
Jamison is one of several who will be recognized by the Red Cross with an awards dinner at 6 p.m. tonight at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. For more information, visit
www.semredcross.org or call (313) 833-2641.
Ramez Khuri is a staff writer for the Novi News. He can be reached at (248) 349-1700, ext. 110 or by e-mail at
rkhuri@gannett.com.
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