Idaho plane crash: Multiple deaths after planes crash in mid-air over Lake Coeur d’Alene
AT LEAST two people have been confirmed dead, and others missing, after two planes carrying eight passengers crashed mid-air over Lake Coeur d'Arlene, in US state Idaho.
Idaho: Debris floats in Lake Coeur d’Alene after plane crash
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said the planes were located by its sonar team and two bodies were pulled from the water at 2.20pm local time. A statement said: "At this time it is believed there are no survivors."
Witnesses told Fox News they saw the two planes crash near Powderhorn Bay.
The planes are in 127 feet of water and officials have warned there is unlikely to be any survivors.
John Cowles told the Spokesman-Review newpaper that he saw an “engine explosion”.
He added one of the plane’s wings then separated.
Lt. Ryan Higgins, of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, said in a statement. “The planes are in about 120-130 feet (36-40 meters) of water.”
Higgins added two bodies had been pulled from the water, but the death toll is expected to rise.
“Initial reports are, there were a total of 8 passengers and crew on the two planes, but that is still being verified,” he said.
“At this time it is believed there are no survivors.”
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Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said one of the aircraft was a Cessna 206.
This is capable of carrying up to six people.
“We do not yet know the make and model of the other aircraft,” he said.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash.
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#BREAKING: Two people are dead after two planes crashed into each other mid-air over Lake Coeur d’Alene. A witness told me she saw the wreckage and her friend held two bodies near the debris until the Coast Guard got to them. @kxly4news pic.twitter.com/Xt7WhqRkOF
— Kaitlin Knapp (@Kaitlin_Knapp1) July 6, 2020
Higgins added six other people have not been recovered but are thought to be dead.
He added they include both adults and children.
One of the planes involved was a Cessna 206, according to the Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.
But the make and model of the other aircraft involved is not yet known.
Many eyewitnesses who either saw or heard the collision or were witness to the aftermath, Higgins said.
This is mainly because people were boating on the lake during the 4th of July holiday weekend.