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A teenager has died and three adults were injured after a small plane crashed in Wyoming mountainous terrain on Monday (September 1), authorities confirmed via ABC News.
The Sheridan Law Enforcement Center said it received initial reports of potential lost or injured individuals in the area of Big Mountain within the Bighorn National Forest at around 4:57 p.m. local time.
“Additional reports came in that an aircraft had possibly crashed in the area of Big Mountain within the Bighorn National Forest,” a press release from the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office states via ABC News. “Sheridan County Sheriff’s Deputies, Sheridan Area Search and Rescue (SASAR), and Wyoming Regional EMS (WREMS) responded to the area.”
Authorities used a small plane to observe the area and confirmed that an aircraft had crashed west of Big Mountain. First responders were dispatched to the scene, locating a single engine aircraft with three surviving passengers and a 13-year-old girl who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The three patients, an 11-year-old male, a 54-year-old male and a 53-year-old female, all of the same family, were reported to have serious injuries,” the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office said. “Medical and rescue teams worked to stabilize the three patients. A Wyoming Army National Guard helicopter was requested to respond for hoist operations.”
The three surviving passengers were taken to two separate hospitals and received treatment, however, their conditions were unknown as of Wednesday (September 3) morning. The 13-year-old girl's body was transferred to the Sheridan County Coroner and will be publicly identified by officials at a later date.
“The coordinated effort between all of the rescuers, EMS, medical teams, and aircraft personnel was exceptional,” said Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez via ABC News. “This was, and still is, a very fluid scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ and their family.”