Plane crash leaves two dead

Two people were killed when a plane belonging to Mount Royal University crashed in a remote provincial recreation area west of Calgary Monday.

The plane went down near the junction of Highways 40 and 579. RCMP confirmed that two people were on board the small passenger plane that went down around 5 p.m. No survivors were recovered. Alberta EMS sent out a tweet on Monday evening saying they had been cleared from the scene, adding that “no persons transported to hospital.”

“Tonight, we are closely watching a serious aviation incident that has occurred northwest of Cochrane, involving an aircraft from Mount Royal University’s fleet,” said Mount Royal University president David Docherty in a statement Monday.

"Our foremost concern lies with the individuals who were onboard the aircraft and their families.

“Officials with Mount Royal University are currently working with Transport Canada, as well as other authorities including search-andrescue crews in the area.”

Mounties in Cochrane, Alta., issued a news release earlier in the evening saying that RCMP, military and civilian aircraft were responding to a report of the crash.

They said the crash was witnessed by another aircraft and reported to authorities.

It’s not yet known what type of aircraft crashed or where it was going.