UMaine Lost Three Students In Knox County Plane Crash

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Owls Head, Maine - Three who lost their lives in a plane crash about 4:45pm Friday evening, November 16th, 2012 near the Knox County Regional Airport after clipping a pickup truck as it was taking off have been named. The three lost their lives were UMaine students of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, whose names are David Cheney, 22, of Beverly, Mass., Marcelo Rugini, 24, who was a foreign exchange student residing in Nobleboro, Maine and was from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and William “B.J.” Hannigan, from South Portland, Maine, who graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.  “Friday night, the University of Maine community lost three outstanding young men,” says University of Maine President Paul W. Ferguson. “In their leadership and involvement in the UMaine community, they touched the lives of students, faculty and staff. At this difficult time, our thoughts are with their families and friends, near and far.”

“UMaine’s Greek and international student communities are mourning the loss of three of their own, but they are not alone in their grief,” said Robert Dana, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “Losing these three young men — David, Marcelo and B.J. — is a loss for the entire UMaine community and the many people — including faculty and staff — whose lives they touched. They brought great light and energy to our campus, and we will miss them. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends.”

Any students affected by this event and would like the opportunity to talk to someone can contact UMaine Counseling Center, 581-1392. Faculty and staff with similar concerns, contact the Employee Assistance Prorgram, 581-4014.

Friday evening a single engine Cessna 172 taking off from Knox County Regional Airport clipped a truck during take off. The Cessna 172 single engine plane continued to climb after clipping the pickup truck crossing the runway, turned to the east, spiraled downward, caught fire before going 300 yards into the woods. Pickup truck was driven by a pilot, authorized to be on airport grounds. Dublin Road near the airport was closed Friday evening as the investigation into the plane crash was going on.

Knox County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation, and says DNA testing to officially confirm the identities of the victims aren't expected until Wednesday.