Berthoud Weekly Surveyor | Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot

Two pulled from plane that crashed into Culver Reservoir died

February 27, 2017 | Local News

By Surveyor Staff

Two people died after a single engine airplane they were traveling in crashed into Culver Reservoir southwest of Berthoud Monday.

The two adult males were identified as Patrick Blankemeier, 58, of Arvada and James P. Griffith, 23, of Denver. The cause of death according to the Larimer County Coroner’s report is “blunt force injuries” and the manner of death was ruled an accident.

According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the two were pulled from the plane around 8 a.m. after spending 50 minutes in the water and were transported to a nearby hospital where they were later declared deceased.

Berthoud Fire responded to the initial report around 7:45 a.m. Monday. Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office also responded and assisted in removing the two adult males from the plane. An autopsy was performed Monday afternoon.

Culver Reservoir is west of Highway 287, just off S. County Road 23 E, between W. CR 4 and W County Line Road.

The cause of the crash is under investigation and few details were released. The sheriff’s office said that the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will take over the investigation.

The sheriff’s office requests that anyone with information regarding this incident to call investigator Drew Weber at 970-498-5172.

 

 

 

 

related Local News