The Alternative Press

ALBANY, NY—Two men from Westfield and another from Garwood were located by forest rangers in the early hours of  Feb. 22 after their small plane crashed near Lake Placid.

According to multiple sources, the men are Michael Oster of Westfield, Frank Dombroski of Westfield and Jeff O’Connor of Garwood.

According to a press release from the office of New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo, at 6:32 p.m. last night DEC Dispatch in Ray Brook was contacted by state police seeking forest ranger response to a plane crash in a wooded area near the Lake Placid Airport.

Essex County 911 was in contact with the plane’s occupants, who indicated that they were in good condition.

Temperatures were forecasted to drop into the single digits that night, with snow showers throughout the night. While rangers searched for them, the men stayed warm by creating a temporary shelter from a tarp and by putting on extra clothing.

Once forest rangers determined the men’s location, they were able to reach the crash site via snowmobile, then bushwhacking on snowshoes for the last half mile. The three men were found by forest rangers just before 2 a.m. The Lake Placid Rescue Squad determined that the crash victims were fine and the men declined any further medical treatment or transport.

 “The actions last night of Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, State Police and local emergency personnel demonstrated the unwavering dedication and tireless commitment of our state’s first responders to protecting New Yorkers and those who visit our state. Responding to a small plane crash near Lake Placid, a team of DEC Forest Rangers walked miles in the bitter cold and dark through rough terrain to find and safely rescue three individuals who were in the aircraft,” said Cuomo in the press release.

“I commend the DEC Rangers who conducted this rescue, Lt. Charles Platt, Joe LaPierre, Scott VanLaer, Jim Giglinto, Kevin Burns, David Russell, Pete Evans and Chris Kostoss, as well as the members of the State Police and local emergency response personnel who helped with this rescue.

“No matter the weather conditions or the time of day, our state’s first responders step up to the call of duty and do what is necessary to find and rescue people that are lost or injured. These first responders went above and beyond to save lives and on behalf of all New Yorkers I thank them for their bravery and service.”