Liz Conmy, a North Dakota state legislator, died after the plane went down in a suburban park north of Minneapolis shortly after take-off this morning
A US politician and a pilot have tragically been killed in a fireball plane crash.
Liz Conmy, a North Dakota state legislator, died after the plane went down in a suburban park shortly after take-off.
The plane was seen plummeting down before exploding into flames. Emergency services raced to the small park to find the wreckage engulfed in flames.
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It’s understood the plane had just left Crystal Airport on Saturday morning when it plunged down into a green space in Brooklyn Park, north of Minneapolis.
The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party, an affiliate of the national Democratic Party, confirmed Conmy’s death in a social media post, calling her a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency.
“We are completely heartbroken and gutted by the loss of Representative Liz Conmy. Her death is a profound loss for our state,” the party said in a post on X.
Officers responded to a report of a small airplane crash at 11:51am and found an aircraft that 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 could be seen extinguishing the fire but neither Conmy nor the pilot — who has not yet been identified — could be saved.
Rabe said the plane crashed shortly after taking off. He wouldn’t say how many people were on the plane. 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.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, gave a statement afterwards saying: “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 Gov Michelle Strinden, R-ND, also spoke of the “integrity” brought by Ms Conmy. “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,” she stated.
“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.”
