Wisconsin residents killed in plane crash
At least two Wisconsin residents were among 10 killed in a plane crash in Guatemala today.
Sarah Jensen, a 19-year-old who survived the crash with minor cuts and bruises, said she and her family were headed to a village in El Estor to build homes for CHOICE Humanitarian, a group based in West Jordan, Utah.
Her brother and father were killed in the crash, and her mother had serious burns and contusions. The family is from Amery, Wisconsin, Jensen told The Associated Press in a brief interview at the hospital. Amery is a small town about 75 miles northwest of Eau Claire and 30 miles east of the Minnesota border.
The Cessna Caravan 208 was on route to the county of El Estor when it crashed in a field of crops about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Guatemala City.
The pilot called in engine trouble about 45 minutes after takeoff and tried to make an emergency landing, Civil Aviation director Jose Carlos said.
Eight passengers were killed, along with the Guatemalan pilot and co-pilot, Carlos said.
He said five of the passengers killed were Americans, but the nationalities of the other three had not been determined.
Four other Americans on board were injured and were being airlifted to a hospital in the capital. Carlos did not know the hometowns of the Americans.
Aug 24, 2008 at 10:15 p.m.
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so sad to hear of the loss of your family
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