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Top photo: A small plane crashed into trees shortly after takeoff from Roche Harbor Airport, Thursday. All three people onboard walked away from the wreckage; one of the three sustained minor injuries and was helicoptered to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. Second photo: Roche Harbor General Manager Brent Snow confers with Fire District 3 Assistant Chief Brad Creesy at the scene. Third photo: From left, Sheriff
Richard Walker
Top photo: A small plane crashed into trees shortly after takeoff from Roche Harbor Airport, Thursday. All three people onboard walked away from the wreckage; one of the three sustained minor injuries and was helicoptered to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. Second photo: Roche Harbor General Manager Brent Snow confers with Fire District 3 Assistant Chief Brad Creesy at the scene. Third photo: From left, Sheriff's Lead Detective Brent Johnson and Sheriff's Deputy Felix Menjivar leave the scene after documenting the crash for the Federal Aviation Administration. Bottom photo: A line of tape winds through the trees to cordon off the crash scene.

Small plane crashes near Roche Harbor disc golf course; three injured


August 5, 2010 · Updated 8:28 PM 

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A small plane carrying three people crashed near the Roche Harbor disc golf course shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday.

The two passengers and pilot were able to extricate themselves from the plane, which hit some trees and came to a rest on its nose near Rouleau Road and Tarte Road/Limestone Point Road. The crash site is about 1 mile from the airport.

Two people were treated at the scene and released; emergency personnel drove them to the ferry landing. A 79-year-old man sustained what appeared to be minor injuries and was helicoptered from Roche Harbor Airport to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham at about 5:55 p.m., San Juan EMS spokesman Alan Roochvarg said.

San Juan County Fire District 3 Chief Steve Marler did not know the identity of the crash victims, but said the airplane is believed to belong to the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island flight club.

Roche Harbor General Manager Brent Snow said he understood that the plane had crashed after taking off from Roche Harbor Airport.

Four District 3 engines and a rescue vehicle, as well as EMS emergency medical personnel, went to the scene. Sheriff's Lead Detective Brent Johnson and Sheriff's Deputy Felix Menjivar documented the scene for the Federal Aviation Administration, which will investigate.

By 6:50 p.m., sheriff's officers and firefighters began to leave the scene.

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