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Nine people, including two children have been killed after a plane crashed in South Dakota amid severe weather conditions, authorities confirmed.
Twelve people were onboard a Pilatus PC-12 midday Saturday when the plane crashed in Brule County, South Dakota as it was flying from Chamberlain to Idaho Falls, Idaho,
Three people who survived the crash are in critical condition and have been transported to Sioux Falls for treatment.
Brule County state's attorney Theresa Maule Rossow also confirmed the number of casualties and praised the “heroic” actions of authorities who responded to the crash amid ice, heavy snow and gusting winds.
"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"
A National Weather Service “winter storm warning” was in place for that part of South Dakota and extended up to North Dakota and eastwards across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
It advised people to stay home and avoid all inessential travel, citing heavy snow, winds gusting up to 40 mph and icy conditions.
“Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility,” the National Weather Service said in its alert.
The East Idaho News reported that those killed included Jim Hansen Sr,, his sons Kirk and Jim Hnasen Jr., and six other members of their family. They were prominent businessmen in Idaho Falls who were executives with oil company Conrad & Bischoff, health and wellness company Kyäni and KJ's Super Stores.
Idaho Falls business executives among those killed in South Dakota plane crash https://t.co/O1qm51d7uP
— East Idaho News (@EastIDNews) December 1, 2019
The outlet reported that the family had travelled to South Dakota for an annual Thanksgiving hunting trip.
The pilot was among those to be reported dead in the crash and is believed to be a family member.
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