At least 5 people died after a small plane crashed near the Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana, according to officials.
A Lafayette Fire Department spokesperson said to PEOPLE that the aircraft was on its way to Atlanta when it crashed around 9:20 am.
One passenger survived and was rushed to a local hospital along with bystanders who got injured.
30-year-old Carley McCord, a sports reporter and daughter-in-law of LSU Football Coach, was among one of the victims killed in the crash.
Steven Ensminger Jr., her husband, confirmed her death to Associated Press.
Ensminger Jr. is the son of the offensive coordinator for the LSU football team, Steven Ensminger.
WDSU, McCod’s employer, also confirmed the sad news of her death. The news outlet wrote on Twitter: “It is with broken hearts that we share that WDSU lost a beloved member of our team today. Our hearts are with the McCord and Ensminger families at this time.”
WDSU President and Genral Manager Joel Vilmenay said in a statement: “We are devastated by the loss of such an amazing talent and valued member of our WDSU family.
“Carley’s passion for sports journalism and her deep knowledge of Louisiana sports, from high school to the professional ranks, made her an exceptional journalist. As we reflect on her impressive body of work, we offer our deepest condolences to her family.”
Weather conditions near Lafayette Regional Airport were listed as foggy that morning, according to CNN. But NBC News reported that the cause of the plane crash is still unknown as of Saturday afternoon.
A local resident said to KLFY: “I was right outside before the crash. I noticed [the plane] was low and smoking like hell.
“It shook my trailer. I knew something was bad. I went in my house, and all you heard was this massive explosion.”
The three injured bystanders included two post office employees.
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