Deadly seaplane collision in Ketchikan Alaska kills six people
15 May 2019
Two seaplanes carrying tourists from the same cruise ship have collided in south-eastern Alaska, killing six people. One plane was carrying 11 people when it hit the other, which had five people aboard, near Ketchikan on Monday. Ten of those aboard the first plane survived and were taken to hospital. The dead include four Americans, one Canadian, and one Australian. Federal officials have been sent to investigate the collision. Three of those killed were aboard the other aircraft, while it is unclear which plane carried the fourth victim. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead an investigation into the collision. Both planes were from the Royal Princess cruise ship which was en route from the Canadian city of Vancouver to Anchorage, Alaska. The incident occurred in the vicinity of a popular tourist lodge that runs excursions to the nearby Misty Fjords National Monument. It happened at around 13:00 (21:00 GMT) on Monday, 10 miles (16km) from Ketchikan, as a plane operated by Taquan Air was returning from the Misty Fjords with ten passengers and a pilot aboard, Princess Cruise Lines said. The plane operated by Taquan, a regional airline based in Ketchikan, was a single-engine de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. Coast Guard identified the second plane as a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver which was on an independent tour. Weather conditions in the area at the time saw overcast skies with south-easterly winds of up to 9mph. Privately-owned vessels in the area helped local and federal rescue services to search for victims. The 10 people taken to hospital in Ketchikan are said to be in "fair or good" condition. The victims have been identified as Alaskan pilot Randy Sullivan, 46; Australian Simon Bodie, 56; Canadian Elsa Wilk, 37; and Americans Cassandra Webb, 62;  Ryan Wilk, 39; and Louis Botha, 46. In a statement, Global Affairs Canada offered to assist in the investigation. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the Canadian citizen who died in Alaska," the government agency said in a statement. "Canadian consular officials in Seattle are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and stand ready to provide consular assistance as required." The cruise ship, which departed Vancouver on 11 May and was due to arrive in Anchorage on Saturday, did not leave the area as scheduled on Monday, a passenger told AP. It was unclear how the collision would affect the rest of the cruise. "We are deeply saddened to report this news and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives and the families of those impacted by today's accident," Princess Cruise Lines said. "Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved." Taquan Air announced that it had suspended all flights and was working with the NTSB and other authorities to "examine every aspect" of the collision. Have you been personally affected by this story? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: - WhatsApp: +447555 173285 - Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay - Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk - Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 or +44 7624 800 100 - Please read our terms and conditions and privacy policy
It happened at around 13:00 (21:00 GMT) on Monday, 10 miles (16km) from Ketchikan, as a plane operated by Taquan Air was returning from the Misty Fjords with ten passengers and a pilot aboard, Princess Cruise Lines said. The plane operated by Taquan, a regional airline based in Ketchikan, was a single-engine de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. Coast Guard identified the second plane as a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver which was on an independent tour. Weather conditions in the area at the time saw overcast skies with south-easterly winds of up to 9mph. Privately-owned vessels in the area helped local and federal rescue services to search for victims. The 10 people taken to hospital in Ketchikan are said to be in "fair or good" condition. The victims have been identified as Alaskan pilot Randy Sullivan, 46; Australian Simon Bodie, 56; Canadian Elsa Wilk, 37; and Americans Cassandra Webb, 62;  Ryan Wilk, 39; and Louis Botha, 46. In a statement, Global Affairs Canada offered to assist in the investigation. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the Canadian citizen who died in Alaska," the government agency said in a statement. "Canadian consular officials in Seattle are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and stand ready to provide consular assistance as required."
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What do we know about the collision?
The cruise ship, which departed Vancouver on 11 May and was due to arrive in Anchorage on Saturday, did not leave the area as scheduled on Monday, a passenger told AP. It was unclear how the collision would affect the rest of the cruise. "We are deeply saddened to report this news and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives and the families of those impacted by today's accident," Princess Cruise Lines said. "Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved." Taquan Air announced that it had suspended all flights and was working with the NTSB and other authorities to "examine every aspect" of the collision.
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How have the tour operators responded?