At least two people were killed when two planes collided over Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho on Sunday and then crashed into the water, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said. Up to six others may be missing.
The planes landed near Powderhorn Bay around 2:20 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Two bodies were removed from the water and other possible victims were searched. The identities of the deceased have not been determined.
The office was working to verify initial reports that there were eight people on the planes. Investigators do not believe that anyone has survived the accident.
Both planes have been located by the office’s sonar team in 127 feet of water.
Floating debris was found and there was a “pretty bad oil slick” in the water, Sheriff’s Lt. Ryan Higgins told CBS Spokane, a Washington affiliate KREM-TV.
Patrick Pearce told The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review that he saw two single-engine planes approaching about 800 to 900 feet above the water. Pearce, who is a pilot, said that the sounds of the engines showed that they were going quite fast before hitting and crashing.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, authorities said.
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