Governor Jared Polis stated in a statement that a Civil Air Patrol jet crashed in Colorado on Saturday, killing two people and injuring one.
The deceased were identified by Polis as aerial photographer Jay Rhoten and pilot Susan Wolber. The co-pilot was identified as the injured party.
According to Polis, the aircraft, which belonged to the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, crashed in Larimer County.
In an XSaturday afternoon post, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office stated that it was responding to a plane crash at Storm Mountain, approximately 48 miles north of Boulder, in conjunction with Larimer County Emergency Services and local partners.
The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 182 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Civil Air Patrol said that it was participating in a search and rescue drill.
Polis said the co-pilot was transported to a hospital for treatment by the Colorado Army National Guard. Denver’s KUSA, an NBC News affiliate, reports that he has severe injuries.
According to Polis, the people on board were Civil Air Patrol volunteers who wished to contribute to making Colorado a safer and better place for everybody.
Polis continued, “The State of Colorado is appreciative of their dedication to service and it will not be forgotten.”
The Air Patrol’s missions “range from search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials,” Polis and Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan said in the release.
Along with other authorities, the NTSB is looking into the event.
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