Multiple news agencies are reporting that eight cruise passengers and a pilot were killed on Thursday when the floatplane they were traveling on crashed into a cliff about 25 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska.
The passengers were on a cruise on Holland America Line’s ms Westerdam. They were on a shore excursion to the Misty Fjords, a floatplane tour on a turboprop DeHavilland DHC-34 Otter, an excursion booked through the cruise line. The tour operator, Promech Air, said that there were no survivors.
The exact cause of the crash has yet to be determined and the body recovery was postponed until Friday due to weather conditions in the area. A helicopter located the plane’s wreckage against a granite rock face, about 800 feet above Ella Lake. The crash occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time.
The ms Westerdam is currently on a seven night cruise to Alaska and is expected to arrive back in Seattle on Saturday as scheduled.
Holland America Line gave the following statement:
“We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those on board the plane and their families.”
Promech Air’s president also gave a statement regarding the crash:
“There is nothing I can say that can alleviate the pain and overwhelming sense of loss that we and the loved ones of those affected are feeling.
At this moment, all of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event.”
Cruise Fever sends our prayers and condolences to the family and friends of those who died in the crash on Thursday.
