Photo: National Transportation Safety Board Twitter
Officials say six bodies have been recovered from the Puget Sound after aplane crashed in Washingtonnearly a month ago, killing all 10 people aboard.
The small float plane crashed into Mutiny Bay west of Whidbey Island on Sept. 4, the United States Coast Guard said in a previousnews release.
Deputy director Eric Brooks said the coroner would meet with victims' families, per theTimes.
Island County Emergency Management and Island County Coroner Robert Bishop did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
National Transportation Safety Board Twitter
Among those who were on board the plane were Lauren Hilty, the sister ofSmashactressMegan Hilty, as well as her husband, Ross Mickel, and their son Remy.
“The past three weeks have been absolute torture as we continue to anxiously await the retrieval of the plane and, more importantly, our loved ones,” the statement says. “Our hope is this retrieval process is successful, but we know this is just the first step on our long, painful road ahead.”
“The outpouring of love and support has meant so much to everyone in our family,” she added. “It has been so comforting to know just how loved Lauren, Ross, Remy and Luca truly are.”
Also killed were pilot Jason Winters, passenger Joanne Mera, civil rights activist Sandra Williams and her partner retired teacher Patt Hicks, and married couple Luke and Rebecca Ludwig.
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The plane waslocated off Whidbey Islandin mid-September, approximately 190 feet down on the Puget Sound sea floor, according to the NTSB.
In asocial media poston Thursday, the NTSB shared images showing the aircraft’s engine after it was recovered, as well as the equipment officials are using to assist with recovery operations.
It could take one to two years for investigators to determine an official cause of the crash, the outlet reported.
source: people.com
