A 26-year-old scientist from Indiana, Tori Moore, has been identified as one of four victims who died after a helicopter crashed into a remote lake near the Alaskan town of Utqiaġvik on Thursday, July 19. The Department of Natural Resources said three state employees who were geological explorers were conducting aerial field surveys when the helicopter crashed into a shallow lake in Alaska.
The employees, identified as Ronald Daanen, 51, Justin Germann, 27, and Tori Moore, 26, were killed along with local pilot Bernard “Tony” Higdon, 48.
Rest in peace Tori Moore <3 this sweet young lady was taken way too soon. She died in a helicopter crash in Alaska. I didn't know her very well, but I'm really struggling because I don't handle grief in a healthy way. I can't wait for my mom to come home from New York.
According to Fox News, Ronald Daanen and Justin Germann were from Fairbanks, while Tori Moore was originally from South Bend, Indiana. Moore graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in geology and earth sciences/geosciences.
Indiana scientist Tori Moore was killed when a Bell 206 helicopter crashed into a lake in Alaska in 1996.
Detailing the accident, authorities said that around 7 p.m. Thursday, a 1996 Bell 206 helicopter owned by Maritime Helicopters crashed into a remote lake near the Alaskan town of Utqiaġvik. The remains were reportedly found approximately 51 miles south-southwest of Utqiaġvik, the northernmost city in the US, formerly known as Barrow.
On Saturday around 10:45 pm, Alaska Dive search, rescue and recovery team volunteers arrived at the crash site. The bodies of four people were recovered Sunday morning. According to the Alaska News Source, Austin McDaniel, director of communications for the Alaska State Troopers, said in a statement:
“Any fatal plane or helicopter crash in Alaska is especially tragic. Today, our State Police and Department of Public Safety hearts and prayers go out to our colleagues at the Department of Natural Resources, as well as the families, friends and loved ones of these four men.”
The Department of Natural Resources also issued a statement Sunday mourning the loss of their colleagues, Ronald Daanen, Justin Germann and Tori Moore, who were members of the Department of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. DNR Director of Communications Lorraine Henry wrote:
“DNR will remain in close contact with their families and will continue to offer prayers and condolences to all their loved ones. The department is beginning the process of grieving for our colleagues, supporting our team during this difficult time, and working with partner agencies to learn as much as we can about this incident.”
They added:
“We are grateful to the North Slope Township Search and Rescue and Police Departments, Alaska Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Police, National Transportation Safety Board, Red Cross, and especially the Alaska Diving Volunteer Search, Rescue and Recovery Team for their efforts to locate and recover our associates. Thank you all for supporting the DNR family during this tragedy.”
More details about the accident are awaited as the investigation is ongoing.
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Edited by Anushree Madappa
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Source: newstars.edu.vn