ANCHORAGE, Alaska Authorities reported all ten persons on board a tiny commuter jet were killed after it crashed in western Alaska on its route to the hub village of Nome.
The plane was found on sea ice on Friday. It was one of the state’s worst crashes in the previous 25 years. According to U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Mike Salerno,
The debris was discovered as rescuers were using a helicopter to look for the aircraft’s last known position. To look into it, two rescue swimmers were dropped.
The wreckage and shattered body of the aircraft were seen on the sea ice in a Coast Guard picture. Two individuals circled the wreckage wearing brightly colored emergency gear.
During a nighttime press conference, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski said, “It’s difficult to accept the reality of our loss.”
As he spoke about the killings and the response effort, Nome Mayor John Handeland broke down in tears.
