2008.08.18
Bridgewater Plaza under voluntary evacuations
Franklin County authorities are conducting voluntary evacuations of Bridgewater Plaza at Smith Mountain Lake because a plane has been seen flying around the lake.
Violet Newby, an employee at the Mouse Trap, said a sheriff’s deputy came into the shop just minutes ago and told them that a plane had been sighted flying around the lake and that the pilot may be suicidal. She said he told them that it’s up to them whether they want to remain open or close the store.
Aisha Johnson, spokeswoman for Roanoke police, said the department is working with Roanoke Regional Airport to identify the pilot and find the plane.
Vicki Gardner, Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said deputies have been notifying business owners at Bridgewater Plaza that there is a plane threatening to crash at the lake. For now the visitor center will remain open, though Gardner did give employees there the option to leave.
“We don’t know where this person is but this is a high-traffic area,” she said. “It is to be determined if this person is out to just harm himself.
“Everyone here is just saying, ‘What do we do?’ ’’'
