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Two seaplanes crashed Monday afternoon in southeastern Alaska, killing at least four people. Ten others were injured in the collision.
Two people were still missing, the Coast Guard told The Associated Press.
Both aircraft were carrying passengers from a Royal Princess cruise ship on a sightseeing excursion. A seaplane operated by Taquan Air was carrying 11 people and a smaller plane, operated by an unidentified travel agency, was carrying five others near Ketchikan.
The Coast Guard said on Monday that preliminary reports indicated an in-flight collision of the two planes. The aircraft involved was a Beaver Seaplane and an Otter Seaplane.
According to Leila Kheiry of NPR member KRBD, the planes crashed on George Inlet, part of Inside Passage, Alaska:
Jerry Kiffer of the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Brigade told KRBD that DeHavilland Beaver and Otter were both on the water when rescue teams arrived at the scene.
"" They were both near the shore: one on one side of George Inlet, the other on the other, "he said.
"Kiffer says the beaver was upside down in the salt water near the beach near Mahoney Lake." Otter was on the other side of the creek, with 10 people in the water. Earth.
Kiffer said those passengers were injured, some were taken to town by an Allen Marine boat, others were taken to the city by helicopter and then to the hospital by ambulance.
National Transportation Safety Board Send his investigators at the crash site. They must arrive on Tuesday afternoon.
"In a region as remote as this one, given our limited resources, we rely on our partner agencies and appreciate the support that good Samaritans have brought so far," said Captain Stephen White, commander of the Coast Guard sector Juneau in a statement. "With the loss of life in this case, we know that the impact in Alaska is immense and our thoughts are with the community here."
Princess Cruises said the Taquan Air flight was returning from a visit to the Misty fjords when the accident occurred.
"Our thoughts and prayers are directed to those who have lost their lives and to the families of those affected by today's crash, Princess Cruises provides support to fellow travelers," Princess Cruises said in a statement at press briefings.
The cruise left Vancouver on May 11 and is due to arrive in Anchorage on Saturday, the company said.
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