News Release #3: Ouray County Plane Crash Update at 8 PM

Contact: Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer

Phone: 970-626-5484

Email: mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 22, 2014, 8 p.m. - Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado -  Search and rescue operations in Ridgway Reservoir have ceased for the night at approximately 7 p.m. Recovery operations will resume in the morning. The plane crashed about 90 feet from shore in 60-90 feet of water.

There are believed to be no survivors, but no victims have been recovered as of this evening. It is believed that five (5) people were on board, and the plane was enroute from Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Montrose, Colorado, about 25 miles north of Ridgway Reservoir. No identities of those on board have been released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.

The plane was registered to a corporation in Alabama. The Ouray County sheriff expects to have a dive team and additional resources on Sunday to finish recovery operations and any necessary clean-up of spilled fuel or debris. Colorado State Parks has closed the campground and day facilities temporarily, pending completion of the recovery efforts.


The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is supporting Ouray County with information distribution, however, all media calls should be directed to Ouray Couty PIO Marti Whitmore.