Los Angeles PLANE CRASH leaves ‘at least two dead’ - authorities rush to scene
A PLANE crash near Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon has left “at least two dead” as authorities rush to the scene, it has been reported.
Fire officials have confirmed that at least two people have died
Fire officials have confirmed that at least two people have died.
The public information officer for the Ventura County Fire Department stated that “multiple agencies are responding” to the crash.
They tweeted: “Small aircraft down into a storage container at 17899 South Mountain Rd outside city of Santa Paula.
“Confirmed 2 DOA’s.
“Firefighters and law enforcement are responding to reports of a plane crash in the South Mountain foothills south of Santa Paula.
“Multiple agencies are responding. Venture County Fire crash rescue vehicle has been requested.”
The incident is understood to have occurred south of Santa Paula.
Captain Stan Ziegler declared that the craft was a two seater - conditions at the time of the crash are understood to have been clear.
Across-the-street neighbor Lisa Darling-Daniel, holding grandson Bo, with friend Laura Taylor describe seeing the Santa Paula plane before it crashed pic.twitter.com/HqXLNJSauK
— Gretchen Wenner (@GretchenWenner) March 31, 2018
The reason behind the crash is currently being investigated.
The plane has been described as a single-engine fixed wing experimental aircraft.
A coroner is believed to be at the scene of the incident.
Gretchen Wenner, a reporter at the scene, declared that Round Mountain was closed both directions as a result of the crash.
She tweeted: “Round Mountain is closed in both directions near the Santa Paula plane crash site, by the way.”
Ms Wenner interviewed witnesses of the crash Lisa Darling-Daniel and Laura Taylor who initially thought the vehicle was an “acrobatic plane”.
Ms Darling-Daniel explained: “We were sitting outside just enjoying the sunshine and talking and the plane was flying around over us and I thought for a moment that it was an acrobatic plane and I said to Laura ‘oh look it’s going to do a spin and she said ‘that doesn’t look like a spin’.”
Laura Taylor added: “That’s not a spin. Bam.”
#MainIncident update: 2 seat plane crash 17899 So. Mtn Rd outside Santa Paula, 2 occupants DOA. FAA and NTSB enroute, Coroner on scene pic.twitter.com/MoBpuHQYwV
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) March 31, 2018
Ms Darling-Daniel said that the pair “bolted over there” as soon as they saw the plane hit the ground.
She went on: “And then there was a loud crash so we bolted over there to see what we could do to help.”
Fire Captain Steve Swindle also told the reporter that reports of the crash came it around 2.20pm local time.
#MainIncident: 2nd photo view of crash, small fire put out by Santa Paula FD, no people on ground injured pic.twitter.com/A4XXEi7Ohd
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) March 31, 2018
He explained: “We are on scene at a plane crash at 17899 South Mountain Road just outside the city limits of Santa Paula.
“At approximately 2.20pm (9.20pm GMT) this afternoon reports came in of a plane down and there was associated fire with it.
“It did crash into a small storage building and it did catch a little bit of fire and Santa Paula City Fire Department got on scene, put it out right away and it did not extend anywhere.
The incident is understood to have occurred south of Santa Paula
“There were no other injuries on the ground, however the two occupants, elderly male gentlemen were pronounced dead on arrival by ambulance paramedics at approximately 2.40pm (9.40pm GMT) I think it was.”
Santa Paula is around 65miles from Los Angeles.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, stated that the plane was a homebuilt Vans RV-6A.