Watch CBS News

School employees among 6 fatalities in Wisconsin plane crash

Wisconsin plane crash
6 killed in small plane crash in Wisconsin, officials say 01:41

CHICAGO -- At least two elementary school educators from suburban Bensenville are among the victims in a deadly plane crash overnight Saturday, CBS Chicago reports.

In a remote area of Northern Wisconsin, a small aircraft went down just after 3 in the morning. Police say six people were on board.

Investigators said the plane left Chicago and was headed to Canada for a fishing trip.

The pilot made contact with the Air Traffic Control then disappeared.

Two of the men are identified on the Tioga Elementary School Facebook page as Thomas DeMauro, a psychical education teacher, and Chuck Tomlitz, the district maintenance director.

Tioga's co-principals left a message on the Facebook page that said, in part, "Mr. DeMauro and Mr. Tomlitz will be missed by all the Tioga Community."

Sandy Jensen, owner of the nearby Happy Daze bar and restaurant, said she provided food for firefighters at the scene of the crash, CBS affiliate WSAW-TV reports. 

"Made up 35 burgers, cheeseburgers and fresh cheese curds we sent over, and some parade candy, because it's the Fourth of July," she told the station.

"That's what the world's all about is people helping people," she added.

The accident remains under investigation by the Price County Sheriff's office, National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.  

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.