Official: 2 dead after plane crashes into Spokane River

SPOKANE (AP) - A Spokane County medical examiner's investigator says the two men pulled from a light plane that crashed into the Spokane River have died.

Deputy medical investigator Jim Uttke identified the men late Thursday night as Lyndon Amestoy and Richard Runyon. The spokesman said he did not know who was the pilot and was not authorized to disclose ages or hometowns.

The plane crashed and sank late Thursday afternoon. Spokane Valley Fire Deputy Chief Andy Hail says the men were under water for about 30 minutes before sheriff's divers pulled them from the cold water at 4:45 p.m.

A Spokane police spokeswoman said she was not able to say more about the men pending the expected arrival today of a National Transportation Safety Board investigator.

KREM-TV reports the pilot radioed shortly before 4 p.m. to report engine trouble.