UPDATE - KCSO recovers three more victims of the Plane Crash
Coeur d’Alene, ID: Kootenai County Divers and Sonar team with assistance from some technical rescue divers recovered three more victims from Sunday’s airplane crash on Monday. The total recovered so far is six occupants. Again, the identity of those recovered is not being released until the Coroner’s Office positively identifies the victims.
KCSO can confirm there were only two occupants on the Cessna, which gives a total of 8 victims. KCSO Dive Team and Sonar Team is planning on going out again tomorrow, however there is a storm forecasted to come over the area Tuesday morning that may delay deployment of the teams.
More information will be released once it becomes available.
UPDATE - Some of the Occupants of the plane crash have been identified
Coeur d’Alene, ID: The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has identified 5 of the 6 passengers of the Brooks Seaplane. The plane was piloted by Neil Lunt, 58 year old male from Liberty Lake. Also in the plane was passenger Sean K. Fredrickson, a 48 year old male from Lake Oswego, Oregon, a 16 year old female, a 11 year old male and 16 year old male. The juveniles listed are the children and step children of Sean. There was another male on the plane that has yet to be identified, however Detectives are currently working on that.
The two occupants of the Cessna have been identified, however their names are being withheld pending notification to next of kin.
Three occupants have been recovered, but their identities are not known at this time. Once the Coroner positivity identifies those recovered their names will be released. KCSO Sonar Teams and Dive Teams are currently working on recovering two more victims, however water depth and were they are located within the wreckage are making things difficult.
More information will be released once it becomes available.
UPDATE - Plane Crash
Coeur d’Alene, ID: The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that one of the planes involved in the accident was float plane from Brooks Seaplanes. This plane was carrying 5 passengers and one pilot. The passengers included three children and two adults. The second plane was a Cessna that was carrying at least two occupants. The number of occupants is still being confirmed for the Cessna.
The KCSO Sonar Team and Dive Team have located the wreckage in approximately 127 feet of water. Two victims were recovered at the scene shortly after the accident. A third victim was recovered from the lake floor by the Sonar Team and Dive Team using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV).
The Sonar and Dive Team will resume recovery efforts at around noon today. NTSB has been contacted and are planning on sending over investigators possibly today as well.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the citizens who attempted to render aid to the victims who were located at the scene.
More information will be released once it becomes available.
UPDATE - Plane Crash
Coeur d’Alene, ID: The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office can verify that two planes collided with each other and then crashed into Coeur d’Alene Lake. Both planes have been located by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Sonar Team. The planes are in 127 feet of water.
At this time the Sheriff’s Office can confirm that two victims were pulled from the water but were deceased. Due to the nature to the accident their identity is unknown at this time. Once their identity is confirmed and the next of kin is notified their names will released. Initial reports are, there were a total of 8 passengers and crew on the two planes, but that is still being verified. At this time it is believed there are no survivors.
The information about the planes is also being verified and will be released once information can be confirmed. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will responding to investigate the accident.
More information will be released once it is available.
Plane Crashes into Coeur D’Alene Lake
Coeur d’Alene, ID: On July 5th 2020 at around 2:20 pm, The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a plane that crashed into Coeur d’Alene Lake near Powderhorn Bay.
Multiple Marine Units, US Coast Guard Units, Fire Units from Worley Fire, CDA Fire and Eastside Fire also responded to the area. Witnesses reported two planes that collided above the water and crashed into the Lake. The planes are in about 120-130 feet of water. It is unknown what type of planes were involved or how many occupants were on each plane.
This is a developing story and more information will be released when it becomes available.
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger
By: Lt. Ryan Higgins
20-26475