UPDATE 2 -- Plane crashes during Reno, Nevada air show, multiple fatalities

[News_Editor]

UPDATE 2 -- Plane crashes during Reno, Nevada air show, multiple fatalities

2011-09-17 08:50:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

RENO (BNO NEWS) -- Multiple people were killed on late Friday afternoon when a World War II aircraft crashed during the Reno Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport in Nevada, officials said. Dozens more have been injured.

The accident happened at around 4.30 p.m. local time when a P-51D Mustang known as The Galloping Ghost, being flown by Jimmy Leeward, crashed into a seating area during the air race.

"The aircraft did not catch fire but there was a wide debris field following the crash," said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Multiple FAA inspectors were observing the air race at the time of the crash."

Stephanie Kruse, a spokeswoman for the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA), said its ambulances transported a total of 40 people to area hospitals. "I can confirm that REMSA has transported 40 casualties," she said.

Kruse said REMSA transported 9 critical and 6 non-critical patients to Renown Regional Medical Center. Saint Mary's Hospital received 4 critical, 7 serious, and 11 non-serious patients. Northern Nevada Medical Center received at least 2 seriously injured patients and 1 person with non-serious injuries.

It was not immediately clear how many people had been killed, but local fire officials said there were multiple fatalities, including the well-known racing pilot.

"It's just like a massacre. It's like a bomb went off," Dr. Gerald Lent, who witnessed the crash, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "There are people lying all over the runway. One guy was cut in half. There's blood everywhere. There's arms and legs."

U.S. Senator Harry Reid from Nevada said he was 'deeply saddened' upon hearing news about the accident. "My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives and with those who were wounded in this horrific tragedy," he wrote on his official Twitter account. "I am so grateful to our first responders for their swift action and will continue to monitor the situation in Reno as it develops."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-17

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Plane crashes during Reno, Nevada air show, mass casualties reported

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