Yesterday, July 29th, the CalOre Life Flight headed to Oakland International Airport lost radio contact at 1:05 am and was reported missing. From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

• The pilot of a twin-engine Piper PA31 declared an emergency due to smoke in the cockpit around 1 a.m. Friday.

The manifest confirms four persons on board: the pilot, a flight nurse, a transport medic, and a patient.

Last night, all four bodies were found inside the wreckage north of McKinleyville, California, northeast of the Humboldt County Airport.

Smith River resident, Joni Forcht said it best in her Facebook posting, “Please hold the families of Cal Ore Life Flight close to your hearts. For so many years they have dedicated their lives to saving other lives. Prayers to family and friends of the person they were airlifting to Oakland for emergency care.”