Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert and his brothers helped save the lives of four people after a helicopter crash on Thursday.
Gabbert was riding on a jet ski around 5 p.m. ET when the helicopter made an emergency landing in the water due to an engine failure.
The helicopter, which was 200 yards from Davis Islands, proceeded to sink, with 28-year-old Hunter Hupp having to free himself from underneath a seatbelt and cords before the party of four began treading water.
The group had been contemplating whether to wait for help or try to swim to land when they were approached by jet skiers, one of whom was Gabbert.
After a helicopter crashed into the bay yesterday, @BlaineGabbert and his brothers, who were on jet skis, were instrumental in the rescue. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sg2pD1MM4Q
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 30, 2022
Two JetSkis arrived within minutes, with one of them driven by Gabbert, who helped bring the family to land. The two men on the other JetSki were Gabbert’s brothers, a source told ESPN.
#Bucs backup QB Blaine Gabbert helped rescue survivors from the crash from his jet ski in Davis Islands. More on the incident from Gabbert Friday.
Man recounts escape from helicopter water landing near Tampa’s Peter O. Knight Airport https://t.co/tyxotC0JSs
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 30, 2022
Hupp, his parents, and the pilot of the helicopter. All four occupants of the helicopter were uninjured.
“Let me tell you, helicopters sink really fast,” Hupp told FOX Sports Friday morning. “We learned that rather quickly.”
“They slowly brought us back to the shore, a sandy beach near the yacht club, and hung out for a while, were really nice,” Hupp said. “We exchanged pleasantries upon reaching flat ground. They were really an asset to helping us out, because we were the only ones out there for a while. It was a handshake and a huge and ‘Thank you so much.’
“They went out for a nice afternoon ride and just happened to come upon a stranded helicopter family.”
NEWS ALERT | #YourTampaPD responded to the area of the Peter O. Knight Airport – Davis Islands regarding a report of a helicopter submerged in the water. On arrival, officers found a helicopter in the water, approximately 200 yards from shore. pic.twitter.com/HKbKOq5n92
— Tampa Police Department (@TampaPD) December 29, 2022
