Credited from: INDIATIMES
A small plane carrying four passengers crashed in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming, resulting in the tragic death of a 13-year-old girl and serious injuries to three of her relatives. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon near Big Mountain, about 15 miles west of Sheridan. Reports suggest that a medical helicopter that was dispatched to survey the area located the wreckage shortly after the crash, according to ABC News and CBS News.
Rescue teams established a command post off U.S. Highway 14 after responding to the scene. On arrival, they found the girl deceased and three relatives—an 11-year-old boy, a 54-year-old man, and a 53-year-old woman—suffering from serious injuries. The injured party was subsequently transported to hospitals in Montana and Sheridan, with medical teams providing critical assistance during the evacuation, according to India Times and ABC News.
The crashed aircraft has been identified by federal officials as a Piper PA-28-180. Although authorities have not released the identities of the victims, local reports mention that the deceased girl was Amelia Palmer, and her parents are now in critical condition while her younger brother has minor injuries. A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $25,000 to support the family during this difficult time, as noted by CBS News and India Times.
The investigation into the crash is being led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the rescue operations, calling the response "exceptional" and expressing heartfelt condolences for the victims and their families, according to CBS News and India Times.