Wyoming plane crash horror as schoolgirl, 13, killed and family rushed to hospital

A teen girl died and her family was hospitalised after the small plane they were onboardcrashedinto mountains above a dense forest.

Amelia Palmer, a 13-year-old rodeo queen, was killed after her four-seater crashed into the Bighorn Mountains, a range in the Wyoming national park of the same name, on September 1. Amelia was one of four people aboard the Piper PA-28 when it crashed at around 5pm on Labor Day.

Earl Palmer, 54, who was flying the aircraft, his wife Cindy, 53, and Amelia's 11-year-old brother Aeron, were rushed to hospitalafter the aircraft wreckage was found by a passing rescue helicopter, according to officials from the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office.

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Amelia was found dead at the scene, and both of her parents were airlifted to a trauma centre across state lines in Billings, Montana, where they remain in critical condition. Aeron managed to escape with minor injuries and was transferred to hospital via ambulance, the Idaho Statesman reports.

Loved ones have come forward to pay tribute to Amelia, an accomplished rodeo and pageant competitor who won the Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen 2024/2025 competition, and finished as the second runner-up to 2026 Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho.

One Facebook tribute said the teen was "pure sunshine and brought joy to everyone you met", adding: "Our rodeo family won't be the same without you, and our hearts are truly broken today. Please join us in lifting her family in prayer."

Another person said news of her death was "absolutely devastating", adding they had "loved watching her grow and develop into such an incredible young woman".

The post added: "Our hearts are very broken, and our prayers are with her friends, family, and loved ones." A third tribute said the teen was a "light like no other" whose "love for others and exuberance were unmatched".

A GoFundMecampaign has been set up for late Amelia and her family, stating that Mr Palmer would need "major reconstructive surgeries".

Mrs Palmer, the page adds, is in critical condition but the "extent of her injuries are unknown at this time". The family "will need help with medical bills, household bills, travel costs, and funeral costs".

The campaign has so far raised $30,940 (£23,024) of a $35,000 (£26,045) target, with hundreds of people having donated since the page was set up just a day ago. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the fatal crash.