Palmer man was trapped in PWS crash

A Palmer, Alaska, passenger aboard a Cessna A185F Skywagon that crashed in the area of Cascade Bay, southwest of Valdez, on May 21, was trapped inside the overturned aircraft, and efforts to revive him failed, according to a report from Alaska State Troopers.

Early Coast Guard reports noted that rescuers from the Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard and good Samaritans all responded to the downed aircraft with three people on board, and that the pilot and one passenger were airlifted to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, but that the second passenger, who was unresponsive, was taken by the Coast Guard Station Valdez small boat crew to emergency medical services in Whittier.

AST later identified the deceased passenger as William Resinger, 75, of Palmer.

An AST dispatch report identified the pilot as Scott Johannes, 56, of Wasilla, who was attempting to land in Cascade Bay, but ended up crashing into the water. Johannes and one passenger, who was not identified, were able to escape the aircraft. Resinger was extricated and CPR was initiated, but unsuccessful.

An investigation continues into the cause of the crash.

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