Two critically hurt in Kona air crash
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
At least two people were critically injured after a tour plane crashed on the Big Island yesterday.
The wreckage and two victims were found just after 10 p.m. Both had second-degree burns and one suffered a diabetic seizure.
Coast Guard rescuers continued to search a lava field near Miloli'i for the pilot, who left the wreckage in an attempt to go for help. Fire officials later said the Coast Guard had found the woman and were flying her out. Her condition was unavailable last night.
Officials were notified of the wreck when one person aboard the flight called 911 shortly before 5 p.m., said Big Island Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira. The caller said the plane had crashed in the South Kona area.
The plane was owned by Phil Auldridge of Island Hoppers tours, fire officials said. The pilot and two passengers had toured the volcano.
Firefighters, the Coast Guard, police and forestry service workers searched until dark, Oliveira said. The Coast Guard was about to call off the search as well when the wreckage was spotted.
A Coast Guard helicopter flew the two injured victims to Kona International Airport, where an ambulance took them to Kona Community Hospital. The patients are a 50-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man.
