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HUNTSVILLE — Two people were forced to cross a frozen lake on foot Friday after their single-engine plane crashed into Pineview Reservoir.
"Sounds like a plane definitely did go in the water, sounds like it was sinking and the two occupants were out and on the ice," said Paul Sullivan, Weber Fire District chief.
Casey Naef, Weber Fire District battalion chief, said the two occupants got out of the plane without any assistance from the fire department. A press release from the Weber County Sheriff's Office said they weren't injured and safely walked to shore before the cockpit was fully submerged in water.
"Reports that we got from the passengers was that they were doing touch-and-go's on the ice and broke through the ice," Naef said. "I'm assuming that they were just touching down briefly on the ice and lifting back off."
Happening Now: A small plane has crashed into Pineview Reservoir in Huntsville, Utah. Two passengers were able to exit and are being treated for cold exposure after being in the water. pic.twitter.com/uqX7sOSBVD
— 🇺🇦 Utah Guy 🇺🇸 (@A_Utah_Guy) January 26, 2024
Naef said the occupants were in the water when they escaped the plane. The individuals were treated for cold exposure but have been released from the hospital.
"They were pretty wet, so we're just trying to get them warmed up right now," Naef said. "But the airplane is still stuck in the ice, so that's going to be a recovery process to get that recovered."
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Forest Service.
