Pilot walks away from ultralight helicopter crash

A Mattituck man walked away with only minor injuries after his ultralight helicopter crashed into the marsh Wednesday night in Mattituck Inlet, Southold police said.

Erwin Rodger, 68, was the only occupant of the low-flying craft when it hit the marsh at 7:57 p.m., police said. Emergency rescue workers rushed to the scene, but did not find anyone.

Rodger, who suffered facial injures, had walked to his nearby home on East Side Avenue, but returned when he saw all the emergency vehicles, police said in a statement.

Police said the Federal Aviation Administration was notified and would conduct an investigation.

Rodger did not immediately return telephone calls Thursday.