Former Republican Senator Ted Stevens and EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe were aboard a plane that crashed in southern Alaska Monday night.
Five of the nine passengers on the plane are confirmed dead, although no names have been released. The fate of Stevens and O’Keefe is not known at this time.
The Stevens family issued a statement on Tuesday morning but the former senator’s fate was not mentioned:
“The Ted Stevens family offers their prayers for all those on board and for their families. We thank the brave men and women who are working to reach the site. We continue to work with the Alaska National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alaska State Troopers. We thank everyone for their support and prayers.”
EADS North America spokesman Guy Hicks also issued a statement, saying:
Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America’s CEO, was a passenger on a private aircraft that crashed in Alaska last night.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the crash occurred around 8pm Alaska Daylight time 320 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Rescue crews from the Alaska Air National Guard and the United States Coast Guard arrived on the scene more than 10 hours after the crash, hampered by rain and fog.
Local authorities are reporting that there are survivors and a rescue operation is underway.
No other details are available at this time.