TAMPA, Fla. — The Bayside Waters Mobile Home Park community is reacting to the loss of neighbors after a plane crashed there Thursday night.
What You Need To Know
- According to the FAA three people were killed in the small plane crash
- Rick Renner recently moved to the area after retiring two years ago and described the scene and memories of one of the victims
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- RELATED: Residents describe panic in moments after crash
Three people, one on the plane and two inside a home, were killed. Rick Renner described the moment the accident happened as he was sitting on his couch watching television.
“It was a loud boom, the house shook, the windows rattled, and we were like, 'What is that?' We thought it was an accident on 19 again,” he said.
The crash happened just a few blocks away from where Renner lives. He shared video from the accident and the destruction he saw.
“We could see the smoke, the fire, 50 feet in the air," he said.
Renner said it was much like the scenes he used to see as a volunteer firefighter, prior to retiring two years ago. He, like many others in this community, are snowbirds just looking to get away from the cold.
Renner says the community is like a family, telling us he knew one of the victims in the home.
“I had just seen her at dinner Wednesday night, the night before, I have a new puppy and she asked me how my puppy was doing," he said.
Renner said he’s still in disbelief that this happened to someone so close to him.
“Feel sad because I really liked her, she was a very nice lady. The whole community is saddened and upset that this happened, “Renner said.
He said they’re planning to hold a memorial once more information about the cause of the crash is released.
The mobile home park is closed. Only residents and investigators are being allowed in.