Local News
Small aircraft crashes into storage facility in Lowell
LOWELL, MI — A small single-engine aircraft crashed into a storage facility near the intersection of Lincoln Lake Avenue and Vergennes Street in Lowell on Monday afternoon, igniting a large fire and prompting an extensive emergency response from multiple departments.
The crash occurred around 4:29 p.m., according to initial emergency dispatch reports.
Authorities confirmed that the plane went down into the storage complex, setting multiple units ablaze.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and officials have not yet confirmed how many individuals were on board the aircraft or whether anyone was inside the building at the time of impact.
By 4:31 p.m., large plumes of smoke were visible from a distance, and emergency responders began arriving on scene.
Fire departments from Airport, Ada, Cascade, Alto, and Caledonia were immediately dispatched to assist in containing the fire.
Within minutes, the situation escalated, and additional mutual aid was requested from Grattan, Saranac, and Cannon Township Fire Departments.
The first fire crews on scene reported heavy fire involvement in the structure and quickly began suppression efforts.
Emergency medical services (EMS) and police units were also dispatched shortly after 4:34 p.m. to support firefighting operations and establish a secure perimeter.
As of now, the area remains cordoned off for safety while crews work to extinguish the remaining flames and assess structural stability.
No official word has been released regarding injuries or fatalities, and the identity of the aircraft has not yet been confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to be involved in the investigation, which is still in its early stages.
Local officials are expected to provide an update later today as more information becomes available.
Local News
Leah Levy Among Two Skydivers Killed in Midair Collision During Landing Near Lake Elsinore, California
LAKE ELSINORE, California — Two experienced skydivers, including Leah Levy, died after their parachutes became entangled during a midair collision while they were preparing to land at a skydiving event in Southern California on Friday.
The fatal accident occurred at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, where two licensed and experienced skydivers were participating in an organized skydiving event.
According to a statement from Skydive Elsinore, the collision happened at approximately 150 feet above the ground as the two participants were approaching the landing area.
Both skydivers suffered critical injuries and were transported to a local hospital. They were later pronounced dead.
Skydive Elsinore said the initial stages of the jump, including the free-fall portion and parachute deployment, proceeded normally.
However, as the two skydivers prepared to land, they collided in midair at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, or about 46 meters, above the ground.
The impact caused their parachutes to become entangled, leaving both participants unable to complete their landings safely.
“The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground,” the company said in a statement.
The Riverside County Fire Department reported that both skydivers suffered traumatic injuries in the incident.
Emergency responders transported them to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite receiving medical attention, both later died from their injuries.
One of the victims was identified in the supplied information as Leah Levy. The second skydiver’s identity has not been provided.
Skydive Elsinore confirmed that both individuals were licensed and experienced skydivers participating in the organized event.
The company said the collision occurred during the final approach to landing, after the free fall and parachute-opening stages had reportedly gone normally.
The incident resulted in the deaths of both participants.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision and any subsequent investigation have not been provided in the available information.