WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — West Chicago police and fire crews responded Wednesday afternoon to an apparent plane crash at DuPage Airport, an incident that authorities later confirmed resulted in the deaths of two people.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the airport, located at 2700 International Drive, after reports of an aircraft crash. Upon arrival, crews discovered a fixed-wing aircraft that had crashed and come to rest in a debris field on Runway 20. Officials described the damage to the aircraft as extensive, indicating a severe impact.
Authorities confirmed that two occupants of the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported, and no individuals on the ground were harmed as a result of the crash.
Responders also reported that fuel was actively leaking from the wreckage, prompting immediate safety measures. Fire and rescue crews secured the area and worked to mitigate the fuel hazard. Despite the fuel leak, officials said no fire broke out, preventing further danger at the scene.
Police initially said little information was available regarding what led up to the crash or whether anyone was injured. As the response continued, authorities confirmed the fatalities and stated that the situation was contained and manageable by West Chicago emergency units, with no immediate need for assistance from outside agencies.
The runway area was closed as investigators and emergency personnel worked through the scene, documenting evidence and ensuring the area was safe. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and officials said a full investigation is underway to establish what factors may have contributed to the incident.
Further details, including the identities of the victims and information about the aircraft, are expected to be released as the investigation progresses. For now, authorities continue to examine the wreckage and gather information to better understand the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
