A man died with his two teenage sons after their plane crashed into remote wilderness in the US.
The small plane plunged into the woods in Colorado on Saturday, killing dad Mark Hendrickson, 46, and his sons Alan, 15, and Case, 13.
The tragedy struck in the national forest in Gunnison County on Saturday morning when the light aircraft got into trouble.
Bodies of Mark, Alan and Case were located near the Swampy Pass of the West Elk Wilderness after the plane crashed into the rocky terrain.
The victims were named as residents of New Castle, located around 100 miles north of the national park.
They had reportedly left from Rifle municipality, travelling in a single-engine Piper PA-28 aircraft flown by dad Mark before it plunged at about 8.11am local time.
The family is survived by Mark’s wife and the boys’ mum, Jenni, and their brother.
Shell-shocked Jenni shared the devastating news on social media.
She said: ‘I never thought I would have to write these words.
‘My loves of my life, Mark and our two beautiful boys, Alan and Case, tragically passed away in a plane crash yesterday.
‘I will update you all soon with more details but, our family’s world is broken.’
She continued: ‘Thank you for loving each of them and for holding us in your hearts and prayers.
‘I know you will all respect our privacy right now as we try to process through this.’
The cause of the crash remains unknown, but officials from the county sheriff’s office, the National Transportation Safety Board and the US Forest Service have launched an investigation.
Mark is said to have held a private pilot license since at least 2023.
Gunnison County Coroner’s Office said in a statement: ‘On Saturday, October 24, 2026, at approximately 9:20 a.m., the Gunnison Regional 911 Center received a report of a small aircraft crash in a remote wilderness area near Swampy Pass in Gunnison County.
‘Emergency crews were dispatched to the area and subsequently located the crash site.
‘All three occupants of the aircraft were found deceased at the scene.
‘The Hendrickson family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the respect, compassion, and support they have received following this devastating tragedy.
Gunnison County extends its deepest condolences to the Hendrickson family during this difficult time.’
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