Drudge report is putting this one in read, and my Drudge app went crazy; so its news.
Live video of coverage is available here.
KTVN-TV has the story:
Witnesses say the plane was about 400-500 feet in the air when it nosedived and crashed near a spectator stand at the Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport.
The accident happened just before 4:30pm during the National Championship Air Races.
Our reporter Chris Ciarlo says the P51 WWII Mustang was third in contention during the gold heat when the crash happened.
The plane DID NOT hit the stands, it hit nearby tables instead.
We just received confirmation that the pilot in the crash was Jimmy Leeward and he flew the Galloping Ghost. There’s no word on his condition.
A second reporter on scene, Paul Nelson says it appears the Mustang hit halfway down the stands. Crime tape now covers the area.
Airport personnel and military evacuated thousands of spectators.
There’s no official word yet on any injuries.
Just yesterday, a pilot had to make a hard landing after his plane had engine problems and declared an emergency.
The AP is reporting:
RENO, Nev. (AP) – A medical official says more than 75 people were injured in a plane crashat an air race event in Reno, 25 critically.
There’s no word on the number of deaths, but a spokesman for the race called it a “mass casualty situation.”
Stephanie Kruse, a spokeswoman for the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority, said 25 people were critically injured and another 25 people were seriously injured in the crash.
She says the critically injured were considered to have life-threatening injuries. She says more than 25 other people were treated for minor injuries.
Kruse 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 at about 4:30 p.m.
So sad. 🙁
Update: Here is the Youtube Video of the crash, heartbreaking to watch:
Here is video of the crash, very heartbreaking to watch.
Here is another view of the crash from another vantage point. Warning: Language! Video Removed
Update #2:
Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and are all now reporting.
KOLO-TV is reporting that 12 have died. (H/T AllahPundit)
Update #3:
Via AP:
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A World War II-era fighter plane flown by a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot plunged Friday into the edge of the grandstands during a popular air race, killing three people, injuring more than 50 spectators and creating a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris.
The plane, piloted by 74-year-old Jimmy Leeward, spiraled out of control without warning and appeared to disintegrate upon impact. Bloodied bodies were spread across the area as people tended to the victims and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Authorities were investigating the cause, but an official with the event said there were indications that mechanical problems were to blame.
Maureen Higgins of Alabama, who has been coming to the air races for 16 years, said the pilot was on his third lap when he lost control.
She was sitting about 30 yards away from the crash and watched in horror as the man in front of her started bleeding after debris hit him in the head.
“I saw body parts and gore like you wouldn’t believe it. I’m talking an arm, a leg,” Higgins said “The alive people were missing body parts. I am not kidding you. It was gore. Unbelievable gore.”
In image from the scene:
Crash scene in Reno, NV