A 7-year-old girl named as Sailor Gutzler, survived in a plane crash, walked a mile through the cold, dark woods to safety and then helped authorities locate the remains of her family.National Transportation Safety Board investigator Heidi Moats said Sunday that Sailor is “one remarkable young lady,” and she might be able to assist them in determining what brought the plane down. It is rare for someone to survive a small plane crash.
It’s not clear when investigators might talk to Sailor, who despite being bloodied and suffering a broken wrist, pulled herself from the wreckage and walked to the nearest home.. Authorities said she walked through thick woods and briar patches in near-freezing temperatures.The remains of the Piper PA-34 plane were moved Sunday so officials can inspect it. They haven’t discussed any possibilities of what brought the plane down or how Sailor survived the crash.Sailor was treated at a hospital and released to a relative Saturday.
After the Friday night crash, Sailor trekked to the home of 71-year-old Larry Wilkins, who answered her knock at the door and called police. Wilkins said the girl was crying and covered in blood.”She told me that her mom and dad were dead, and she had been in a plane crash, and the plane was upside down.”
The crash killed Sailor’s parents, Marty Gutzler, 48; and his wife, Kimberly Gutzler, 46; Sailor’s sister, Piper Gutzler, 9; and a cousin, Sierra Wilder, 14. All were from Nashville, Illinois.
Sailor’s family members said through a spokesman that they do not want to do any interviews at this time because they need time to grieve.