Alaska Guard responds to plane crash near Dillingham

By Kalei Brooks
Alaska National Guard

CAMP DENALI, Alaska (8/10/10) -- The Alaska Air National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard are currently on scene of a plane crash that occurred 17-miles north of Dillingham Aug. 9.

Two Alaska Air National Guard 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen are providing medical assistance to crash victims. An Alaska Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, carrying the 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen, radioed in that the pararescuemen arrived on scene at 7:15 this morning. At least two patients have been treated.

A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 is also providing communication support over head and will be available to take victims in need of further medical treatment to Anchorage once victims are transported to Dillingham.

Poor weather remains a factor, as there is less than a quarter-mile visibility at the crash site and less than a 100-foot ceiling in the area. Weather hampered the Alaska Air National Guard rescue crews last night as well, and crews spent the night in Dillingham.

An Alaska Air National Guard 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130 with a fresh helicopter crew and pararescuemen will leave Anchorage shortly in route to Dillingham.

The Air Force 11th Rescue Coordination Center, manned by Alaska National Guardsmen, was contacted by Dillingham Flight Service after a Good Samaritan spotted the downed aircraft around 7 p.m. Monday.
A Good Samaritan team was able to hike into the crash site and provide medical assistance last night.

The plane was reportedly carrying nine passengers and there are potential fatalities.

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