Atleast two people have been confirmed dead while six others occupant are yet to be found after two planes collided and crashed over Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho on Sunday. According to an eye witnesses, the incident happened near powerhorn bay at about 2:20 p.m.
Multiple local agencies who responded to the indecent, including the sheriff’s marine teams, said the two recovered bodies had not been identified. Investigators are checking initial reports that stated, they had eight people on the two planes. They don’t believe anyone survived.
Both planes have been located by the office’s sonar team, in 127 feet of water, with floating debris and there was a “pretty bad oil slick” on the water, Sheriff’s Lieutenant Ryan Higgins said.
Accounts from eye witness:
John Cowles told the newspaper he was on the lake with his family when saw what appeared to be an “engine explosion” on a seaplane flying no more than 200 feet (61 meters) overhead. One of the plane’s wings then separated, and the plane fell into the water.
Patrick Pearce told the Spokesman-Review that he saw two single-engine planes coming towards each other at 800 to 900 feet (244 to 274 meters) above the water. Pearce, a pilot himself, said he recognized by the engine sounds that both were traveling at fairly high speeds when they collided and fell into the lake.
Higgins said the National Transportation Safety Board will likely take over the investigation.
Additional information from cbsnews.com