Семеро, включая законодателя штата Аляска, погибли при столкновении в воздухе

Seven folks were killed Friday morning after two planes collided mid-air in Soldotna,Alaska, relate officials said.

One plane carried a single occupant: 67-one year-customary Alaska Pick up. Gary Knopp, Alaska Yell Troopers (AST) confirmed in aassertion. The choice plane carried six folks, including 57-one year-customary pilot Gregory Bell of Soldotna, 40-one year-customary whisk manual David Rogers of Kansas and four friends from South Carolina: 26-one year-customary Caleb Hulsey, 25-one year-customary Heather Hulsey, 24-one year-customary Mackay Hulsey and 23-one year-customary Kirstin Wright, per AST.

None survived the fracture, AST said. Six died on the scene and the seventh individual died on the formulation to the clinic.

AST said troopers were notified of the fracture conclude to mile 91.5 of the Sterling Motorway at around 8: 27 a.m. local time. Many of the wreckage modified into as soon as roughly 200 yard some distance from the road, and AST, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Police Division, Central EMS, Yell Parks and the Federal Aviation Administration all responded, officials said.

South Carolina local recordsdata channel Fox Carolinatweetedphotos of the wreckage on Saturday.

“That is an unfathomable tragedy for a couple of households this day. The DPS sends a heartfelt condolence to all who lost a cherished one on this mid-air collision,” Alaska Division of Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Assign said in aassertionon Friday. “Troopers and accomplice agencies trust labored together diligently on the scene and trust reached out to subsequent of members of the family to train them of this heartbreaking incident.”

The Nationwide Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the motive within the support of the fracture, AST said.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered flags be flown at half of-workers till sunset on August 3 to honors Pick up. Knopp.

“The First Girl and I would love to particular our heartfelt condolences to Handbook Knopp’s household as they mourn his premature passing,” said Gov. Dunleavy said in aassertion. “At some stage in his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula, Gary turned properly is known as an avid outdoorsman, a professional pilot, and a dedicated public servant. His presence will exiguous question be omitted by these he faithfully served.”

Lieutenant Gov. Kevin Meyer also tweeted his condolences to the Knopp household, writing: “Marty and I are panicked and saddened to hear of the tragic lack of Handbook Gary Knopp. Gary has always long previous above and former to indicate his neighborhood and the relate of Alaska. He’ll be vastly omitted by many.”

“I’m devastated and panicked to learn of the fracture that claimed Gary Knopp’s lifestyles,” Alaska Yell Rental Speaker Bryce Edgmon also said in an announcement on Friday. “Gary modified into as soon as a one-of-a-form leader and a honest Alaskan who labored tirelessly for his district within the Legislature. He’ll be omitted by many.”

Pick up. Knopp had lived in Alaska since 1979 and had served within the Alaska of Representatives since 2016, per abiography released bythe Alaska Rental Majority.

Write toMadeleine Carlisle atmadeleine.carlisle@time.com.