The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into the Modesto Reservoir on Saturday says he feels lucky to be alive. He has minor injuries, but his spirits were still high as the helicopter was now being pulled from the water.

The pilot said he grabbed a seat cushion that popped out of the water, and that’s what probably saved their lives.

A helicopter crash at Modesto Reservoir around 11 a.m. Saturday resulted in major injuries to one person and closed the waterway, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.