UPDATED 10:59 p.m.:
PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood confirms to WMBD News that two are dead following the earlier reported crash landing of a single engine plane in Hanna City.
The initial call for the crash came in at precisely 12:31 p.m.
Many witnesses on scene along Illinois Route 116 through Hanna City were immediately alerted to the crash and law enforcement quickly closed the roadway as an investigation got underway.
Harwood confirms that one female and one male who were aboard the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. He says resuscitation efforts were attempted for both victims, but neither could be saved.
We do not yet know the ages of either victim.
Officials with the medical examiner’s office continue working to make positive identifications possible for public release and Harwood says autopsies are scheduled for Monday.
It is still not clear where the aircraft took off from nor where it was headed. Witnesses say the aircraft was sputtering, wobbly and appeared distressed shortly before the crash.
Harwood confirms to WMBD News that a number of buildings along the road in Hanna City were damaged as a result of the crash. Perhaps, several vehicles may have also sustained some damage.
The NTSB is expected to be alerted to the crash and send an investigative team out soon. While local officials initially announced Route 116 through Hanna City was opened again, it is not. Illinois State Police now say the road remains closed through at least Sunday morning for the investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available.
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UPDATED 1:48 P.M.
HANNA CITY, Ill. – Authorities are investigating after a single engine plane landed on the road along Route 116 in Hanna City.
Peoria County officials say the road through the city is closed while investigators piece together what happened.
25 News reports it’s not yet clear if there are any injuries. Eyewitnesses say the plane was wobbling and clearly in distress before the loud landing.
The road was first reported closed around 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
This story will be updated when more details become available.
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