ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Four passengers and a small dog were rescued from the water after their private plane crashed Tuesday morning near St. Pete Pier.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the plane crashed just east of the pier around 10:52 a.m. Officers said the plane's engine failed shortly after taking off from Albert Whitted Airport.

The passengers were trying to evacuate St. Pete as Hurricane Milton nears Florida's west coast. Hurricane Milton is keeping its strength as a Category 4 storm and still "poses an extremely serious threat" to Florida at this time.

Three of the passengers were reportedly treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries before they were taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.