Five people were killed and a sixth let critically injured when a twin-engine plane with six passengers crashed near a Walmart in Louisiana.
Among them was Carley McCord, 30, a sports reporter, was the daughter-in-law of Louisiana State University offensive coordinator Steve Ensmiger.
The crash occurred in Lafayette about a mile from the airport at 9:22 a.m. on Saturday. Local media were reporting at least five were killed in the crash, which occurred in a wooded area behind a Walmart Supercenter.
At least three other people who were not on the plane but were on the ground during the crash were transported to the hospital in unknown conditions, according to Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit.
The victims of the crash were identified Friday as McCord, pilot Ian Biggs, 51 Vaughn Crisp II, 59, Gretchen Vincent, 51, and Michael Vincent, 51. Wade Berzas, 37, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
All were on their way to Saturday’s Louisiana State University football game in Atlanta.
The crash occurred shortly after the small aircraft took off from Lafayette’s airport. Witnesses said that the plane may have hit a power line before crashing.
“I was right outside before the crash,” witness Kevin Jackson told KLFY after the crash. “I noticed [the plane] was low and smoking like hell. It shook my trailer.”
“I knew something was bad. I went in my house, and all you heard was this massive explosion,” Jackson added.
The Walmart nearby the crash was evacuated, and local businesses in the surrounding area were without power. The cause of the crash remains unclear.
BREAKING: 5 people confirmed dead after small plane crash in Lafayette, Louisiana. New conference starting shortly. pic.twitter.com/bFx2JlIfyv
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) December 28, 2019
