HELENA – Broadwater County Sheriff Wynn Meehan says a small plane crashed into a creek bank about two miles south of Townsend, between the Missouri River and Highway 287.
The two occupants in the plane were conscious and speaking to authorities, but Sheriff Meehan said they sustained life-threatening injuries. The occupants were taken by medical helicopter to a local hospital.
Sheriff Meehan also said given the low temperatures and lack of light, both men are very fortunate to have survived the initial crash.
“It’s cold, it’s not frigid but it’s still cold though and when you’ve got injuries you know that just compounds it. So for them to be in the condition they are and not be a number you know I think it’s a large blessing.”
Sheriff’s deputies initially found the crashed plane near the Hahn Ranch, two miles outside of Townsend. Sheriff Meehan said that the plane was only a few feet off a farm road, which allowed first responders relatively easy access.
The plane left Bozeman around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The Sheriff’s department reports it was a leased plane.
The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Department, Townsend Fire, Toston Fire, Radersburg Fire, and Broadwater Ambulance all responded to the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been called to the scene to investigate.
