At least two dead after plane crashes near high school in California

A plane crash near a high school in Santee, Calif., left at least two people dead and two homes destroyed, according to local news reports. 

A twin-engine plane crashed into at least one home before striking a box truck in a residential area, according to the Los Angeles Times.

NBC 7, a local San Diego television station, reported that a deputy fire chief confirmed two people died in the crash, though it was unclear if they were aboard the plane.  

“We believe that the injuries are nonsurvivable for anyone that was on that plane,” the deputy chief reportedly said.  

“It’s a pretty brutal scene for our guys and we’re trying to comb through it,” he added.

At least two people sufferred burns and were taken to a hospital, the Times reported. Again, it was unclear if they were also the reported deaths. 

The plane, which was traveling from San Diego to Yuma, Ariz., experienced issues while attempting to land, according to NBC 7.

At least two buildings, which appeared to be homes, were badly damaged in the incident. Authorities confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board intends to investigate the incident, NBC 7 reported.

If you live in @CityofSantee, please avoid the area near the 9900 block of N. Magnolia Avenue. @SanteeFire @SDSOSantee and other first responders are at the scene of a plane crash. This is a developing situation. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. pic.twitter.com/mHepnIuhBX

— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) October 11, 2021

Smoke was visible above the scene of the crash, but most of the flames had been extinguished by 1:30 p.m., the local television station noted.

The high school near the site of the crash tweeted that “all students are secure” following the incident. 

All Students are Secure. There was a plane crash 2 or 3 blocks away. We are currently in a “Secure Campus”.

— Santana High School (@SantanaSultans) October 11, 2021

The NBC affiliate added that it was unknown how many people were abroad the plane when it crashed. 

The Hill has reached out to the Santee Fire Department for more information.