A US politician and a pilot have been killed in a horror fireball plane crash. Liz Conmy, a North Dakota state legislator, died when the plane went down in a park shortly after take-off. The plane was seen plummeting before exploding into flames.
Emergency services rushed to the small park and found the wreckage engulfed in flames. It is understood that the plane had just left Crystal Airport on Saturday morning when it plunged into a green space in Brooklyn Park, north of Minneapolis.
The North Dakota Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party confirmed Conmy's death in a social media post. She was described as a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency. The post read: "We are completely heartbroken and gutted by the loss of Representative Liz Conmy. Her death is a profound loss for our state."
Officers responded to a report of a small airplane crash at 11:51 am. They found an aircraft which had crashed and caught fire in a park in the city of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, shortly after taking off, Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe said. Police were seen extinguishing the fire but neither Conmy nor the pilot could be saved.
Rabe did not say how many people were on the plane but the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that two people were aboard. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating a crash involving a Beech F33A airplane and expects investigators to arrive at the scene soon.
Governor Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, said: "Liz served her state and community with care and compassion, from her service in the Legislature and on the state's Human Trafficking Commission to her work on education, habitat and immigration. Kjersti and I are saddened by this tragic loss and offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and fellow legislators. We ask North Dakotans to join us in keeping them in our prayers."
Lt. Governor Michelle Strinden, R-ND, also spoke of the integrity brought by Conmy. She said: "I am heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rep. Conmy, a dear friend and former colleague with whom I had the privilege of serving in the state House. Liz brought integrity, compassion and unwavering dedication to her work on the Education and Judiciary committees, and I was proud to partner with her on efforts to strengthen our schools. My thoughts are with her family and all who knew and loved her."
