Plane Lands In Yellowstone River As Boaters Float In Annual Event

A plane clipped a power line and landed in the Yellowstone River where a boating event was taking place, officials said.

The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's office responded to the scene Sunday morning. The plane landed mid stream in the river and no boaters were injured, officials said.

Both people on the plane were rescued and taken to a local hospital.

Brooke Osen, a public information officer with the sheriff's office, told the Montana Billings Gazette that more than 100 people were estimated to be in the area at the time of the crash.

A man and a woman were onboard the plane. According to the Billings Gazette, the man suffered superficial injuries while the woman suffered more extensive injuries. After getting out of the plane themselves, a nearby boat picked them up.

The plane was completely submerged in the water and only its tail could be seen.

The Yellowstone Boat Float is a three day event that retraces the route of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Participants "float and camp" for three days starting in Livingston, Montana and ending in Columbus, Montana.

Photo by David Schott via Flickr Creative Commons