At least 2 people killed in plane collision over Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho

USA Today

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho
(Stephanie Hammett/The Spokesman-Review via The Associated Press)

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Two people died in a plane crash Sunday over Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses said they saw two planes collide over the water, then crash into the lake near Powderhorn Bay, according to a release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. The crash took place at about 2:20 p.m.

The sheriff's office said as many as six other people could have been on the two planes, but "that is still being verified."

Multiple local agencies, including the sheriff’s marine teams, local fire departments, and the United States Coast Guard, responded to the crash, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reported.

"At this time it is believed there are no survivors," the sheriff's office said in the release.

Lt. Ryan Higgins with the sheriff’s office confirmed two bodies had been recovered from the planes. The victims have not been identified.

John Cowles told the newspaper that was on the lake with his family at the time of the crash. Cowles said he saw what appeared to be an “engine explosion” on a seaplane flying no more than 200 feet overhead. One of the plane’s wings then separated, and the plane fell into the water.

The National Transportation Safety Board will likely take over the investigation in the coming days, Higgins told the Spokesman-Review.
Publish : 2020-07-06 15:06:10

Give Your Comments