Plane Crash In Kentucky Kills 4 People, 7-Year-Old Girl Survives And Walks Away To Call For Help

A seven-year-old girl survived a plane crash in Kentucky on Friday night and walked away from the crash site by herself to call a local resident for help. The crash had reportedly killed four people.

A small Piper PA-34 aircraft had lost contact with air traffic controllers soon after its pilot reported engine problems, while flying over the southwestern part of Kentucky at about 5:55 pm CST (4:55 p.m. EST). The person, who received the girl at his home, called 911 and reported to the authorities that the girl said she was involved in a plane crash, Sgt. Dean Patterson of the Kentucky State Police, said, according to The Associated Press (AP).

"This girl came out of the wreckage herself and found the closest residence and reported the plane crash," Patterson said, according to AP, adding: "It's a miracle in a sense that she survived it, but it's tragic that four others didn't."

The girl was later taken to a nearby hospital as she was in emotional distress and had to be treated for other injuries, which were reportedly not life-threatening. Meanwhile, authorities searched around for about two hours before they found the site of the plane crash near Kentucky Lake, and recovered four bodies, including that of the pilot. The plane was headed toward Mount Vernon, Illinois, from Key West, Florida.

“FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) air traffic controllers lost contact with a Piper PA-34 aircraft ... shortly after the pilot reported engine problems, and told air traffic controllers that he was diverting to the Kentucky Dam State Airport," Kathleen Bergen, FAA communications manager, said, according to CNN.

Identities of the deceased and the girl who survived were not immediately available. Authorities have also not yet determined the relationship of the girl to the people who died in the accident. Investigation is ongoing into the crash of the twin engine aircraft, which can seat up to six people, CNN reported.