Clearwater, FL|News|
Small Plane Crash Near Bayside Bridge Injures Pilot
The small plane crashed into the water sometime around 2 a.m. just north of the bridge's hump. Clearwater Fire & Rescue assisted at the scene.

Phone: 941-321-2400
Email: jason.bartolone@patch.com
Hometown: Hamilton, NJ / Bradenton, FL
Jason is an Associate Regional Editor with Patch's Florida team and manages the Patch sites in Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Pinellas Beaches, Bradenton and Sarasota.
Before that he served as Local Editor of Bradenton Patch, helping launch the site in December 2010, as well as working closely with other Patch sites around Tampa Bay.
Before joining Patch, Jason spent more than eight years working at daily newspapers in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as a reporter, copy editor, page designer, sports columnist, blogger and podcaster. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism from Penn State University and served in a variety of roles at the school's nationally recognized Daily Collegian student newspaper. He also interned at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review as part of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund internship program.
Most recently, Jason spent five years at the Bradenton Herald working in several positions, including Page 1A designer and editor. He's also been an on-air radio personality and host.
He and his wife are proud New Jersey natives who are still on the lookout for authentic pizza in Florida after eight years living and working here.
The small plane crashed into the water sometime around 2 a.m. just north of the bridge's hump. Clearwater Fire & Rescue assisted at the scene.

The Sarasota Association of Realtors says sales rose by 22 percent in January compared to the same month last year, and that February could see more of the same.
Here's what some Patch readers had to say about the Gulfport City Council's decision to lift a ban on smoking on the beach. What do you think? Join the conversation!
Check out the newest homes on the market in St. Pete Beach listed at $250,000 or less.
Dubbed "Casa Verde," this environmentally friendly home is on the market.
Willard's Tap House, Barley Mow Brewing and lots of other nearby locations are raising a glass in honor of Tampa Bay Beer Week 2013. Check out the full events schedule here.
Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin House of Beer, Dunedin Smokehouse, Luekens Liquor and lots of other nearby locations are raising a glass in honor of Tampa Bay Beer Week 2013. Check out the full events schedule here.
St. Pete Beach's Pass-a-Grille came in 15th on the 2013 list of the best beaches in the U.S., as determined by the users of tripadvisor.com.
Fort De Soto Park, a favorite of Gulfport residents, finished fourth on the 2013 list of the best beaches in the U.S., as determined by the users of tripadvisor.com.
This time, Clearwater Beach came in at No. 18 on a list of the best beaches in the U.S., as determined by the users of tripadvisor.com.
Siesta Key Public Beach in Sarasota came in second on the 2013 list of best beaches in the U.S., as determined by the users of tripadvisor.com.
Caladesi Island State Park came in at No. 12 on the list of best beaches in the U.S., as determined by the users of tripadvisor.com.
Madeira Beach officials recently approved "Mid-Month Madness," a full schedule of two-day themed events, for the shopping corridor, the Beach Beacon reports.
The traveling "near-death experience" production set up at State Road 70 and Lockwood Ridge Road is aimed at teaching teens about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and other poor decisions that claim young lives.
The pizza chain is set to open a location at State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.
One lucky Patch reader and breast cancer survivor has won a $25 gift certificate to Healthy Being Wellness Center in St. Pete.
One lucky Patch reader and breast cancer survivor has won a $25 gift certificate to Healthy Being Wellness Center in St. Pete.
One lucky Patch reader and breast cancer survivor has won a $25 gift certificate to Healthy Being Wellness Center in St. Pete.
One lucky Patch reader and breast cancer survivor has won a $25 gift certificate to Healthy Being Wellness Center in St. Pete.
An Indian Rocks Beach veterinarian describes how he was able to help a couple after their pit bull puppy swallowed the woman's engagement ring.