BARTOW, Fla. — A plane crashed into a car outside a church Sunday in Bartow, Polk County firefighters said.
The small plane crashed into the car in the parking lot of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church shortly after noon.
The pilot of the single-engine aircraft, Robert Silva, 61, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, firefighters said.
A member of the congregation went outside and said a plane had crashed in the parking lot.
The pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church said he and his church were in the middle of worship when they heard a loud bang.
Two registered nurses in the congregation, Priscilla Sykes and Queen Morris, rushed out to assist the pilot.
Silva underwent surgery and is in stable condition.
They helped Silva until Polk County Fire Rescue arrived to take over emergency medical care.
There is no word yet on what caused the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is taking over the investigation of the crash.