Local News
Emergency Water Rescue Underway After Small Plane Crashes Off Coast Near Tweed New Haven Airport
UPDATE: USCG Station New Haven rescued 2 people from a downed aircraft, southeast of the Thimble Islands, near Branford, Connecticut. The 2 people were in stable condition and were taken to the Stony Creek Pier for EMS support.
EAST HAVEN, CT – Emergency crews are responding to a small aircraft crash off the coast of East Haven, Connecticut, approximately six miles from Tweed New Haven Airport.
The incident was first reported near 155 Burr Street, where authorities received a call indicating that a plane had gone down into the water with two people onboard.
Upon arrival, rescue units confirmed that one person was in the water, while the second individual remained unaccounted for.
The aircraft is reportedly fully submerged, according to Branford Marine units on scene.
A large-scale multi-agency response was launched, including:
- New Haven Fire Department units: Engines E16 and E4, Truck T3, Rescue R1, and Command Units C32 and C33
- East Haven Fire Department, with Marine 1 assigned
- Branford Fire Department, deploying Marine 2 and Marine 5
- West Haven Fire Department requested to deploy their marine vessel
- All responding companies were instructed to stage at Lighthouse Park for coordinated access
Coordination between fire, marine, and emergency medical services continues as search and recovery efforts intensify.
The aircraft’s exact model and flight path are not yet confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are expected to take over the investigation once rescue efforts conclude.
There is no official word yet on the identities or condition of the two occupants.
The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.