Two people are dead and one is injured after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Colorado on Saturday, Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.
Polis identified the deceased as pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten. The person who was injured was identified as co-pilot Randall Settergren.
The plane crashed in Larimer County, Polis said.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X Saturday afternoon that it, along with Larimer County Emergency Services and local partners, were responding to a plane crash near Storm Mountain, about 48 miles north of Boulder.
The Civil Air Patrol confirming its Cessna 182 crashed while carrying out a training exercise, according to local NBC News affiliate KUSA- of Denver.
The Civil Air Patrol did not immediately respond to requests for information about the crash.
The plane, out of the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, was “conducting a routine training mission training aerial photography,” Polis said.
The Colorado Army National Guard conducted a rescue mission via helicopter and airlifted Settergran to a medical facility for care, according to Polis. He has “serious injuries,” according to KUSA.
Polis described those who were on board as volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol “who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all.”
“The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten,” Polis added.
Missions conducted by the Air Patrol “range from search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials,” according to a release from Polis and Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident in conjunction with other agencies.
Lindsay Good contributed.
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