A person died Wednesday and another was hospitalized after their aircraft crashed in southern Big Horn County.

The only two people on board are said to be predator control specialists, according to a news release from Big Horn Sheriff Ken Blackburn. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of family.

The release says the aircraft left the Worland airport Wednesday morning. At 11:22 a.m., the Big Horn County Sheriff's Department learned that the aircraft may have crashed in the county.

An investigation began immediately, the release says, and an emergency locator transmitter was confirmed to be sending a signal from the southern part of the county.

Several state and local agencies started a search and found the downed aircraft in a rugged, remote location southwest of an area known as the Wardell reservoir, off of the Dorsey Creek road.

Medical responders for the REACH Air Medical Service immediately provided medical services until ground crews arrived at the scene and pulled both people from the aircraft.

One person died at the scene. The Big Horn County Coroner will determine the cause of death.

The person who survived was taken to Billings for medical treatment. No update on the survivor's condition was provided in the news release.

Recovery efforts continued Wednesday night. The Sheriff's Department said rough terrain and bitter cold weather made recovery work hazardous and particularly difficult.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will investigate, according to the release. Sheriff's deputies are keeping the scene secure until federal investigators arrive.

The type of aircraft involved was not specified in Wednesday's news release.

 

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