After Hours Of Searching, Rescuers Save 3 N.J. Men After Small Plane Crash In The Adirondacks
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities say three New Jersey men have been rescued after spending several hours in frigid conditions when their small plane crashed in the Adirondack Mountains.
State police say the crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. Thursday near Lake Placid. Forest rangers initially headed to Nye Mountain based on coordinates provided by the men.
By 11 p.m., they realized that was the wrong location and the actual crash site was at nearby Big Burn Mountain. Rangers reached the site around 2 a.m. Friday and evacuated the men by snowmobile.
The men, all in their 50s and from Westfield, N.J., weren't injured. They were in touch with the rangers by phone, said they'd put up a tarp as a temporary shelter and bundled up in extra clothing to stay warm.
"Responding to a small plane crash near Lake Placid, a team of DEC Forest Rangers walked miles in the bitter cold and dark through rough terrain to find and safely rescue three individuals who were in the aircraft," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "No matter the weather conditions or the time of day, our state's first responders step up to the call of duty and do what is necessary to find and rescue people that are lost or injured. These first responders went above and beyond to save lives and on behalf of all New Yorkers I thank them for their bravery and service."
The rangers who carried out the rescue were identified as Lt. Charles Platt, Joe LaPierre, Scott VanLaer, Jim Giglinto, Kevin Burns, David Russell, Pete Evans, and Chris Kostoss.
The Federal Aviation Administration says the Vans RV-10 experimental aircraft departed from Somerset Airport in Bedminster, N.J, and was headed to Lake Placid Airport when it crashed.
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