Wrangell residents are mourning the loss of three members of their community in Friday’s plane crash on Admiralty Island.
Alaska State Troopers identified the victims as 60-year-old David Galla, 61-year-old Greg Scheff and 57-year-old Thomas Siekawitch.
The fourth person on board was 21-year-old Morgan Enright of Ketchikan. She was rescued and medevaced to Seattle.
As of Sunday, she was listed in “critical” condition at the Harborview Medical Center, which has an advanced trauma unit. Her current condition was not immediately available.
Wrangell Borough Manager Jeff Jabush said the crash affects many members of the community of about 2,400.
“Everybody just knows everybody, it seems like. And it is hard when something bad happens to people, because everybody is involved in the whole thing,” he said.
He said community members are pitching in to help families of the victims.
Wrangell medical provider Alaska Island Community Services is offering assistance.
Staffer Jessica Whitaker said counselors are already in the primary school.
“We also have numerous counselors available at our main office if anybody related to the family or any community members feel that they need to come in and talk with someone,” she said.
The crashed plane was a Cessna 206 flying from Wrangell to Angoon. It was owned by Wrangell’s Sunrise Aviation. Galla, the pilot, was one of the owners.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Borough Manager Jeff Jabush knew all three people killed in the crash.
He said Galla was a longtime pilot who also served on a local electrical commission board. Scheff worked for local government as a surveyor. Siekawitch also worked with the municipality.
