Two Confirmed Dead in Plane Crash Near McGrath, Alaska

Alaska State Troopers say two people died Saturday evening in a plane crash west of McGrath, and four survived.

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Aug 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 15, 2011 at 9:12 AM AKDT

Alaska State Troopers say two people died Saturday evening in a plane crash west of McGrath, and four survived.

Trooper spokesperson Beth Ipsen said initial reports were that four people had died, but said she received misinformation regarding the number of fatalities.

Veteran bush pilot Ernest Chase, 66, of Aniak and longtime teacher Julia Walker, 52, from Anvik died in the plane crash, according to troopers.

The survivors are husband and wife Don and Rosemarie Evans, both 32, from Anvik, and their children Donny, 10, and McKenzie, 8.

All are being treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The single-engine Cessna 207 carrying six people had just taken off from McGrath at around 7 p.m. It was headed to the village of Anvik, about 140 miles west, according to Ipsen.

Ipsen said the Alaska Air National Guard rescued the four survivors from the plane crash, 37 miles west of McGrath; they were taken back to McGrath by helicopter.

Rescue teams said the weather had been bad with low visibility and were unable to reach the site until 11 a.m. Sunday.

“There were several attempts to actually get to the area,” she said.

“Commercial aircraft were trying to fly over head to communicate with the people on the ground, and bad weather just hampered it.”

The National Transportation Safety Board responded to the crash scene and are conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash.

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