BREAKING NEWS: Ultralight crash kills Bodfish residents


Published on Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:14 AM PST

Cathy Perfect/Kern Valley Sun

Donald Wright, 31, and Athena Moreno, 18, both of Bodfish, died in an ultralight aircraft accident near Auxiliary Dam Saturday afternoon, according to a report by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m., authorities received a report of a downed aircraft in the area of the west side of the Auxiliary Dam near Barlow Drive and Eva Avenue in Lake Isabella.

According to reports, the aircraft had taken off from the Auxiliary Dam Campground shortly before the accident occurred.

Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to suffer a mechanical failure. Wright and Moreno were reportedly ejected from the aircraft prior to it crashing to the ground. The ultralight had been at an altitude of about 1000 feet when the incident occurred, officials said.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and investigatorsfrom the NTSB will be responding to the accident site tomorrow, Sunday, morning to conduct an investigation. Autopsies are scheduled for Jan. 11.

Comments

23 comment(s)

    miroslava Santana wrote on Feb 17, 2010 10:18 AM:

    " Hi,
    I have a couple of teenagers and I would definitely be devastaded to loose either one. I would love to help her family in anything. How can I contact them? My condolences to Athena's family and friends. I met her working at Kern Valley High, she was always friendly and sweet (good upbringing. "

    Terry Radtke wrote on Jan 23, 2010 6:27 PM:

    " My heart and prayers goes out to the families. "

    Gail Korner wrote on Jan 16, 2010 1:02 PM:

    " My prayers are with both families as they try to deal with their loss. My prayers are also with the friends and family members who may have witnessed this tragic accident. God be with all of you. "

    stephanie wagner wrote on Jan 16, 2010 10:04 AM:

    " god bless all the people who new the victims ill be praying for you "

    Dora wrote on Jan 12, 2010 3:55 PM:

    " My heart and prayers go out to all the families involved, especially the ones who had to helplessly witness such a horrific accident. Mistie I love you girl and am always here for you. "

    Phyllis Rostad wrote on Jan 11, 2010 5:15 PM:

    " My heart goes out to the parents and family of Donny and Athena. What a horrific loss. I can actually say I have felt the loss of a child 21 years ago. The pain never goes away, it just gets easier with time. My prayers are with you all. "

    Kaeleigh wrote on Jan 11, 2010 2:04 PM:

    " I am very very saddened and heavy hearted.Athena was one of sweetest, funniest, and most beautiful people I grew up with. My heart aches for her family, and long-time boyfriend Cory. They both were great friends of mine, and things will never be the same. However, I've found comfort in knowing she's our angel now, and she will guide us through this. We love you Athena! "

    lori Flores wrote on Jan 11, 2010 1:54 PM:

    " I would like the families to know they are in the valleys prayers. Its so sad that two lifes were taken. They are in a great place now and may peace be with there families "

    Juli wrote on Jan 10, 2010 11:01 PM:

    " Athena u are loved so much and will be missed dearly.... My love and prayers go out to u Cory(athenas boyfriend of many years) all the Casey family and moreno family! She wasn't only a great friend, she was family life won't b the same with out u! Rest in peace beautiful. "

    Ann wrote on Jan 10, 2010 6:53 PM:

    " My heart goes out to the families of both Donald and Athena. It is sad, tragic and difficult to fathom lives cut short.

    God be with the families. "

    Samantha wrote on Jan 10, 2010 1:14 PM:

    " Her step father was here with us last night. Our hearts go out to the families and many, many friends of these people. Things like this just shouldn't happen. "

    tee wrote on Jan 10, 2010 11:38 AM:

    " how very sad i live in wofford heights and we saw them flying around and i thought to myself how cool it would be to see the view of the kern river valley from up there. its so very sad that this has happened i pray for their familys GOD BLESS THEM ALL. "

    Kent Geri wrote on Jan 10, 2010 10:27 AM:

    " Knowing the Wright family for 15 years from Orange County to Kern Valley our hearts go out to Jim & Donna for their loss. Our prayers also go out to Athena's family in this sad time. "

    katie bletcher wrote on Jan 10, 2010 9:54 AM:

    " Athena was one of the nicest people you would ever meet. she was sweet, genuine, and stunningly beautiful.its a shame her young life was cut short. my thoughts go out to her friends and family. she will be greatly missed. "

    Rek wrote on Jan 10, 2010 9:53 AM:

    " Oh my god, I used to work with this girl, she just graduated high school last year. My heart goes out to her family and friends, I can't even imagine the pain they must be feeling right now. "

    Margaret wrote on Jan 10, 2010 9:43 AM:

    " I saw it flying around a few minutes before it crashed and a friend saw it crash and saw 2
    people fall out. So sad. "

    whos fineoh 9.... wrote on Jan 10, 2010 8:16 AM:

    " she was an awesome person..sweet.funny. beautiful..its a real shame..my heart goes out to her family. "

    a praying parent wrote on Jan 10, 2010 4:40 AM:

    " It is heartbreaking to see such a young life taken so tragically I am praying for the families involved. "

    Mac wrote on Jan 10, 2010 12:42 AM:

    " What a horrible, horrible accident. My heart goes out to their friends and families for their terrible loss. "

    Cat wrote on Jan 9, 2010 9:36 PM:

    " Dont know either of them but my prayers are with their spirits and their families. "

    Anonymous wrote on Jan 9, 2010 8:48 PM:

    " She was so sweet, so young. Someone who had her whole bright future ahead of her.. May she rest in peace and let peace be with the family "

    The Smiths wrote on Jan 9, 2010 8:32 PM:

    " Donny was such a great guy with alot of love in his heart, He was a good friend and he will truly be missed. To all of Donny's friends and family...you are in our prayers to help comfort you through these hard times. Stacy...we are so sorry for your loss.
    -♥-
    Joy and Brian Smith "

    Tracy wrote on Jan 9, 2010 7:02 PM:

    " May they rest in peace. What a horrible thing to happen. "

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