An experienced helicopter pilot's mission to rescue flood victims was abruptly halted after he was threatened with arrest.
Hearing about stranded people frantically begging for help, he decided to fly his own helicopter to assist. He knew it was going to be the only way out for many.
He went over his flight plan with a Queen City News reporter from his hangar in South Carolina. There were no restrictions in the air space around Lake Lure, one of the worst hit locations. He checked.
His phone was blowing up with emotional pleas from residents including a woman who said she, her family and pets were trapped with no water or electricity. He discussed the mission with his son, also his co-pilot.
On Saturday, they rescued four people from the flood-ravaged area.
They slept in a pilot's lounge overnight and headed back out Sunday. Soon thereafter, he and his son spotted an elderly couple in distress and landed nearby.
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He didn't want too much weight in the helicopter so he left his son and the woman climbed aboard. He explained to her husband that he would take one person at a time.
He found a spot to land about three minutes away.
The pilot said he was greeted by fire and search personnel and they discussed the mission. They were appreciative.
"One guy gave me the radio frequencies so we could communicate," he said, adding he shared that he had both firefighting and law enforecement background.
In the middle of that conversation, things went south quickly when a he a man approached. He was the Lake Lure fire cheif or assisant chief, the pilot said.
"He told me if I didn't leave the area immediately, I'd be arrested. I told him my background, but he insisted I leave, saying I was interfering with his operation."
The pilot said he told the officer he would leave, but not until he went back to the spot and got his co-pilot. "He said if I went back, I'd be arrested."
Two law enforcement officers nearby were flagged over to join the conversation. The pilot also made it clear he was not leaving his son behind. And, moments later took off to retrieve him.
He apologized to the elderly man about the threats and demands to abort the mission. It broke his heart to leave him, but he had no choice. "He was very upset," he said, adding that he felt sad the two were no separated.
He and his son headed back to South Carolina. Their voluntary mission in his helicopter was over.
The pilot found out about 20-30 minutes after he rescued the elderly woman, an air space restriction was placed.
Reporters said they have not been able to reach fire officials about the incident.
Residents remain stranded and missing in the isolated area.
