The Gem County Sheriff’s Office has reported the tragic deaths of two men in a plane crash that occurred in the Payette River near Black Canyon on Tuesday morning. Preliminary investigations indicate that the pilot may have clipped a power line before the aircraft crashed onto the ice covering the river.
Idaho Power confirmed that the incident was the cause of a significant power outage affecting the region. The outage, which commenced just before 11 a.m., impacted over 5,300 customers in Crouch, Horseshoe Bend, and Placerville. Thankfully, by 2:45 p.m., the company announced that power had been restored to all affected homes and businesses.
In the aftermath of the crash, local schools in Horseshoe Bend took precautionary measures by canceling classes due to the power loss, which made it impossible to heat school buildings. Students were dismissed early, with the district notifying parents that classes would not resume for the day.
The ongoing presence of Gem County Sheriff’s Office and Gem County Fire & EMS personnel at the crash site underscores the seriousness of this incident. As investigations continue, the community is coming together in response to this tragic event, highlighting the resilience and support often seen in times of crisis.