Two children died and two adults were seriously injured after a single-engine plane crashed near the San Joaquin River in Fresno, California, on Saturday. The accident occurred just before 2 p.m. local time, near Sierra Sky Park Airport, and sparked a wildfire in a vegetated area. Images from the scene showed dozens of firefighters battling the flames and large plumes of smoke at the top of a cliff.
According to official Josh Sellers of the Fresno Fire Department, the aircraft fell from a cliff near the airport runway. It is still not known whether the plane was taking off or preparing to land at the time of the accident.
Of the four people on board, two children died at the scene. The two adults were rushed to a hospital and remained in critical condition on Saturday night. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities, ages, or relationship between the aircraft occupants.
The sheriff's office reported that the fire did not reach any homes near the crash site.
