The two men who died in yesterday’s crash above Slate Canyon are 26 year old Evan Backers and 23 year old Collin Niemela. I originally released that Backers lived in Hideout, UT. He actually lived in South Jordan. Their flight originated from the Spanish Fork airport. https://t.co/OvoU0v7AI1
— Spencer Cannon (@SGTCannonPIO) November 15, 2023
Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said 26-year-old Evan Backers and 23-year-old Collin Niemela died on impact in rugged terrain east of Slate Canyon, near Kyhv Peak Road just after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Cannon originally reported Backers was a Wasatch County resident living in Hideout. He has since corrected that information stating Backers lived in South Jordan.
Niemela lived in Santaquin.
A 22-year-old Springville man survived the crash and was flown by helicopter to Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known; however, the Associated Press reported the man was walking around when rescuers arrived at the Utah County scene.
@UCSO, @UCSO_SAR , @Intermountain LifeFlight en route to a downed aircraft along Squaw Peak road in the mountains east of Provo. Media staging to follow. pic.twitter.com/0AFJmP2BOM
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) November 14, 2023
Cannon said the plane took off from Utah County's Spanish Fork Airport.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
