In a tragic incident, Major General William Anders, the renowned astronaut who captured the iconic Earthrise photo in 1968, has lost his life at the age of 90. The devastating news was confirmed by his son, retired Air Force Lt Col Greg Anders, who expressed the family's grief and described his father as a great pilot.

The accident occurred on Friday when the plane piloted by William Anders went down into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Reports emerged around 11:40 a.m. that an older-model plane had crashed into the water near the north end of Jones Island, subsequently sinking. San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter is leading the investigation alongside the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA.

During the Apollo 8 mission, Anders served as the lunar module pilot alongside Commander Frank Borman and James Lovell Jr. The mission involved multiple orbits around the moon, during which the crew began capturing photographs. It was during this time that Anders took the iconic Earthrise photo, describing it as the most impressive sight he witnessed in space. The image depicted a delicate, colorful Earth rising over the stark lunar landscape, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.

The Earthrise photograph, designated as Anders' greatest accomplishment as an astronaut, played a significant role in fueling the global environmental movement. This first-ever color image of Earth from space was selected by Life magazine as one of the hundred photos of the century, solidifying its place in history.

Tributes have poured in for William Anders, with retired NASA astronaut and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly paying his respects. Kelly acknowledged that Anders had forever altered humanity's perspective of the planet and ourselves through his iconic Earthrise photo. He further expressed how Anders had inspired generations of astronauts and explorers. Thoughts and condolences are being sent to his family and friends during this difficult time.

The world has lost a remarkable individual whose contributions to space exploration and environmental awareness have left an indelible mark. The legacy of Major General William Anders will continue to inspire future generations as they endeavor to push the boundaries of human exploration and strive to protect our planet.