Rep. Gary Knopp's plane collided with plane carrying local pilot, guide from Kansas and four people from South Carolina
A plane rests in brush and trees after a mid-air collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, July 31, 2020.Seven people, including an Alaska state lawmaker, died Friday when two small airplanes collided in mid-air near the airport in Soldotna, a small community on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Rita Geller, who works at a golf course near the airport, said she started running when she heard the planes hit, and watched one fall to the ground, Besides Knopp, troopers identified the other six people killed as pilot Gregory Bell, 57, of Soldotna; guide David Rogers, 40, of Kansas; and Caleb Hulsey, 26; Heather Hulsey, 25; Mackay Hulsey, 24, and Kirstin Wright, 23, all of South Carolina.
“I have known Gary Knopp and Greg Bell for most of my life. Gary has served the Kenai Peninsula community for decades. I have flown with Greg and never felt to be in better, more safety-focused hands while in the air. We are reeling from the loss to our community,” he said. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham said he was shocked and devastated upon hearing of Knopp’s death. “Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature. He will be missed by many.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New home in the works for the 'Into the Wild' bus in AlaskaThe bus that played a key role in the gripping adventure and tragic death chronicled in 'Into the Wild' is likely to begin its next chapter at a museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Read more »
Ottawa imposes stricter rules for Americans travelling through Canada to AlaskaCanada Border Services Agency says U.S. travellers heading to Alaska will be required to use one of five designated border crossings: four in B.C. and one in Alberta
Read more »
Feds Crack Down On Americans Using 'Alaska Loophole'They’ve officially taken the fun out of road trips and for good reason.
Read more »
Ottawa tightens rules for Americans travelling through Canada to AlaskaCanada Border Services Agency says U.S. travellers must take the most direct routes possible, avoiding all tourist activities, and will be issued a tag to hang in their vehicle
Read more »
Suspected gas leak in northern Japan kills 1, injures 17A sudden explosion from a suspected gas leak blew out walls and windows in part of a northern Japanese town Thursday morning, killing one person and injuring 17 others.
Read more »