Politicians Tweet Prayers After 4 Killed in Plane Crash at Kansas Airport
U.S. politicians took to Twitter today to send prayers to the Wichita, Kansas community following news of a deadly a plane crash.
At least four people are dead and five are injured after a small plane crashed into a two-story building near Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport in southern Kansas on Thursday morning.
A further five people are reportedly unaccounted for, including the pilot of the twin engine Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200, which crashed into the FlightSafety Building shortly after takeoff, according to CNN.
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"Firefighters engaged in a horrific fight for several minutes. We have the fire under control. We are in the process of trying to determine if all the employees and visitors who may have been in the building are accounted for," Fire Chief Ron Blackwell told CNN affiliate KSNW.
An estimated 100 people were inside the building at the time of the crash. There was extensive damage to the property, which is located across the street from the airport, including a collapsed ceiling and walls.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback led the way in offering prayers and well wishes to the victims and their families.
"My thoughts are with those who lost their lives and those injured in today's plane crash in Wichita," Brownback tweeted.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in the plane crash in Wichita," Kansas Senator Pat Roberts also tweeted.
"Prayers go out to the plane crash victims in Wichita today," Cong. Time Huelskamp tweeted.
"Praying for all those involved in Wichita right now as we hear more about the tragic plane crash," Cong. Lynn Jenkins tweeted.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by today's tragedy at the Wichita airport," Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Kansas Greg Orman tweeted.
"Prayers for those affected by plane crash in #Wichita today," Central Baptist Church Pastor Chad Farber tweeted.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro confirmed that the twin turbo plane lost an engine after takeoff and crashed while attempting to return to the runway. Authorities are still investigating the crash.
The injured victims were transported to a local hospital. Three are said to be in critical condition and one is listed as being in fair condition, an official with Via Christi Health told KSNW.
