Quake sees 'mass chaos'

Editor’s note: This story is not real. The earthquake and tsunami didn’t happen — not yet, anyway. But experts say it’s only a matter of time until Cascadia Fault sets off a disaster of historic proportions on the coast that will also have a dramatic impact throughout the Northwest, including North Idaho.

Numerous agencies responded to the fictional disaster in region-wide training exercises Tuesday through Friday. The Hagadone News Network treated these exercises as an actual news event and was a role player trying to relay the importance of efficient and effective response.

By BRIAN WALKER

Hagadone News Network

HAYDEN — Tammy Smith thought she had left disaster behind.

Instead, the Seattle woman was among 62 people aboard an F-27 Fokker airplane on Friday that collided with a single-engine Beachcraft Bonanza at the Coeur d'Alene Airport.

Six people died and 24 were injured in the crash, which resulted in the most fatalities in an accident in the airport's history.

Passengers aboard the larger plan were fleeing from the tsunami-ravaged West Coast.

"It was mass chaos in the plane," Smith said after receiving medical attention on scene. "There were items thrown all over the place. I was lifted out of the plane (by rescuers) and taken away from the plane until someone could help."

Smith said the larger plane she was on had been diverted from Spokane International Airport to Coeur d'Alene because Spokane was inundated with aircraft transporting victims fleeing the coastal disaster zone caused by Tuesday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

The names, genders and ages of victims were not released as of deadline Friday night due to pending notification of next of kin.

An estimated 40,000 people who are evacuating the tsunami zone are expected to arrive in Kootenai County in the next few days. The crisis wiped out bridges, roads, homes and businesses from northern California to British Columbia. Local emergency shelters have been set up to assist the victims.

As the Fokker was landing during Friday's crash, Smith said it collided with the Bonanza. Smith said most of the passengers, including herself, were living at a Seattle-area assisted living facility that was lost during the tsunami.

"I'm just thankful that I'm alive," Smith said.

Phil Cummings, the airport's operations manager, said initial investigation indicates the pilot of the single-engine plane, who died in the accident, was at fault.

However, a joint investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will determine the official cause.

Cummings said the Bonanza aircraft was in the runway that the larger plane was landing on. He said the circumstances surrounding the pilot of the smaller plane in the moments before the crash are under investigation.

Cummings said air traffic controllers were alerted at 8 a.m. Friday that the larger plane had been diverted to Coeur d'Alene. A short time later, the crash, which caused the front end of the larger plane to be engulfed in flames, occurred.

The collision caused the Fokker to break in half. Some of the passengers in the rear of the plane had to be lifted out by rescuers, said Jim Lyon, Northern Lakes Fire District spokesman.

Most of the seriously injured passengers were transported to Kootenai Health. At least one of the victims was transported to a hospital in the region via the Life Flight helicopter. Those with minor injuries were transported from the scene on a Coeur d'Alene School District bus.

"We've had smaller incidents here at the airport, but nothing of this magnitude," said Greg Delavan, the airport manager. "It's a terrible tragedy."

About 70 rescuers from 15 emergency agencies responded to the scene. Delavan said he expected the runway to be cleared late Friday night.

About 10,000 evacuees have already arrived here from the Cascadia earthquake with as many as 30,000 more expected, according to a press release issued by Kootenai County's emergency operations center. The American Red Cross is sheltering more than 600 evacuees. Government officials estimate about 1,500 people are camping in churches and tents. Kootenai County, Idaho, Oregon and Washington have also declared a state of emergency because of the tsunami.

Local and state officials encourage people to give cash donations to an organized voluntary agency of your choice that is providing assistance during this disaster. Only cash donations can be accepted at this time.

Volunteers are asked not to go directly to shelter sites. Those who want to help may volunteer through their own existing organization, or may go to the volunteer reception center at Lutheran Church of the Master, beginning at 3 p.m. today and thereafter from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. weekdays.

Shelters are at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Coeur d'Alene Bible Church and the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.

Some campgrounds have spaces available, but they are filling up fast, said Kimberly Hobson, a public information officer at the emergency center. Most hotels still have rooms available.

Hobson said a diesel shortage for emergency vehicles is anticipated so trucks with the fuel are en route from Boise to assist.