Nevada Air Show Turns into Tragedy
Baku, September 17 (AZERTAC). An air show, held yesterday in the city of Reno in the state of Nevada, turned into a tragedy when a “P-51 Mustang” plane crashed into a gallery box seat area in front of a grandstand.
A medical official says more than 75 people were injured in a plane crash at an air race event which took place at the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nevada.
Three people are confirmed dead, a spokesman for the race called it a "mass casualty situation."
A spokeswoman for the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority says 25 people were critically injured and another 25 people were seriously injured in the crash. She says the critically hurt are considered to have life-threatening injuries. She says more than 25 other people were treated for minor injuries. The spokeswoman says so far, 40 people have been taken to local hospitals by ambulance and one person has been flown to a hospital.
The plane plunged into the stands at the National Championship Air Races.
Mike Houghton, president and CEO of the Reno Air Races, said at a news conference that pilot Jimmy Leeward of Ocala, Fla., died in the crash after apparently losing control of the aircraft.
Leeward is the owner of the Leeward Air Ranch Racing Team and is a well-known racing pilot. His website says he has flown more than 120 races and served as a stunt pilot for numerous movies, including "Amelia" and "Cloud Dancer."
Killed in the crash was the pilot, 74-year-old movie stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward, and at least two others.
Houghton says it's too early to know for sure what caused the wreck, but said there appeared to be a "problem with the aircraft that caused it to go out of control."
Other news in this section
