Tragic Plane Crash in Colorado Mountains: Civil Air Patrol Training Mission Ends in Fatalities
ICARO Media Group
**Tragic Plane Crash in Colorado Mountains Claims Two Lives**
A Civil Air Patrol plane engaged in a training exercise tragically crashed in the rugged terrain of Larimer County, Colorado, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The sole survivor, a co-pilot, sustained severe injuries and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital, authorities reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:12 a.m. on Saturday near Storm Mountain, about 30 miles southwest of Fort Collins. The Civil Air Patrol, an organization comprised of volunteer pilots who assist in emergency service operations, confirmed that the aircraft was on an aerial photography training mission at the time of the crash.
The pilot, identified as Susan Wolber, and the aerial photographer, Jay Rhoten, both lost their lives in the crash. Emergency responders faced challenging conditions as they hiked to the crash site to locate the sole survivor, co-pilot Randall Settergren. According to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Settergren was airlifted from the site and taken to a hospital, where his condition remained critical as of Sunday.
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado expressed condolences in a statement, underscoring the significance of the services provided by the Civil Air Patrol and lamenting the lives lost in this unfortunate event.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the community mourns the loss of Wolber and Rhoten, both dedicated volunteers in a revered public service organization.