Tragic South Dakota Plane Crash Kills 9 People Saturday

CHAMBERLAND, SD. (THECOUNT) — Nine people were killed Saturday afternoon in an Idaho-bound Pilatus PC-12 plane crash in South Dakota, according to reports.

Two children and the pilot were among those killed shortly after takeoff, Theresa Maule Rossow, the state’s attorney for Brule County confirmed to news outlets.

Three survivors were rushed to a medical facility in Sioux Falls.

“The men and women of law enforcement, first responders and medical professionals should be commended in their heroic actions to rescue the victims in extreme weather conditions,” she added.

The plane had embarked shortly before noon from Chamberlain, South Dakota, and crashed about a mile southwest of there, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, reports ABCNEWS.

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. Maule Rossow said at the time of the crash weather conditions included “strong winds and snow.”

FAA investigators are traveling to the site, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The NTSB will manage the investigation.

Geo quick facts: Chamberlain is a city in Brule County, South Dakota, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Lake Francis Case dammed section of the Missouri River, close to where it is crossed by Interstate 90. The population of Chamberlain was 2,387 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brule County – Wikipedia.