Florida: 4 Dead After 2 Airplanes Collided Mid-Air in Winter Haven

Two small aircraft collided mid-air near Winter Haven Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Four people have been confirmed dead as a result of the mid-air collision, as both planes crashed into nearby Lake Hartridge soon after.

The Winter Haven Police Department confirmed that search and rescue crews responded to Lake Hartridge immediately after the crash was reported. The lake is located east of the Winter Haven Regional Airport and is where the two aircraft reportedly collided at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Polk County Chief Steve Lester stated that both planes immediately went to the water, according to NBC affiliate, WFLA. Images of the search and rescue operations in the lake have also been released.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd released a statement, saying, "My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who were killed in today's crash." He then implored everyone to keep the families of the victims in their prayers during this difficult time.

The sheriff also noted that the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are now investigating the incident and are looking into why the two planes collided mid-air.

Casualties in Florida Mid-Air Collision Identified

Authorities in Florida have now identified all four casualties in the crash, as well as the models of the aircraft they were flying in and the companies owning them.

The casualties of the crash are pilot Faith Irene Baker, 24, of Winter Haven; Polk State College student Zachary Jean Mace, 19; Randall Elbert Crawford, 67, from Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Louis C. DeFazio, 78, from Fredricksburg, Texas, who also lives in Winter Haven.

One of the planes was a Piper J-3 Cub seaplane operated by Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven. According to the Associated Press, Crawford and DeFazio were aboard that aircraft.

Meanwhile, the other airplane was a Cherokee Piper 161 fixed-wing plane operated by Sunrise Aviation (Ormond Beach) on behalf of Polk State College. Baker, a flight instructor, and Mace, a college student at Polk State College, were reported to have been aboard that aircraft.

Polk State College, Sea Plane Company React to Florida Plane Collision

Polk State College, which was running one of the aircraft, as well as where one of the people who died was studying, released a statement from Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti.

She stated, "Our Polk State College family is devastated by this tragedy," and added that they are extending their deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who passed away in the fatal mid-air collision.

According to CBS News, the school also stated that it will offer support programs to its students on campus. These will be available virtually and by phone.

Meanwhile, Jack Brown's Seaplane Base released a statement on social media, stating that they are now working with local authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB as the investigation continues.

The company also paid tribute to the two victims aboard their aircraft, writing, "It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of instructor and dear friend, Lou DeFazio, and fellow seaplane enthusiast and long-time customer of the Base, Randall Crawford, in yesterday's accident."

They also reached out to the families, friends, and the entire Polk State community which have been affected by the accident.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Four killed after small planes crash mid-air over Lake Hartridge - FOX 13 Tampa Bay