Men that died in plane crash near Kyhv Peak identified
Nov 14, 2023, 12:58 PM | Updated: Nov 15, 2023, 12:57 pm
A LifeFlight helicopter removed the lone survivor of a plane crash near Kyhv Peak on Tuesday. (Screenshot via Utah County Sheriff on X)
(Screenshot via Utah County Sheriff on X)
PROVO, Utah — The two men that died in a small plane crash in the mountains east of Provo have been identified. Evan Backers, age 26, and Collin Niemela, age 23, were aboard an airplane that originated from Spanish Fork airport and crashed near Kyhv Peak on Tuesday morning.
A 22-year-old man from Springville, Utah survived. Officials said he was found walking around the site of the crash.
The two men who died in yesterday’s crash above Slate Canyon are 26 year old Evan Backers and 23 year old Collin Niemela. I originally released that Backers lived in Hideout, UT. He actually lived in South Jordan. Their flight originated from the Spanish Fork airport. https://t.co/KGHu2avFqe
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) November 15, 2023
The two deceased men were found inside the plane, and were carried off the mountain via Kyhv Peak road by Utah County Search and Rescue personnel.
The 22-year-old survivor was hoisted off the mountain by LifeFlight, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken to Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital for medical treatment of his injuries.
The wreckage was spotted by an Intermountain Life Flight late Tuesday morning.
According to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and Provo police, the plane crashed east of Slate Canyon near Khyv Peak road in the mountains east of Provo.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
11:16 this morning a plane crashed in rugged terrain east of Slate Canyon, near Kyhv peak Road. A 22 year old man survived the crash and is being treated at Utah Valley Hospital. A 26 year old Hideout, UT man and a 23 year old Santaquin man were killed. Cause being investigated. pic.twitter.com/oruf6t8Iof
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) November 15, 2023
