Plane crash horror as 13-year-old schoolgirl dies in front of terrified family

A plane crash has left a 13-year-old girl dead and three members of her family injured after the single-engine plane crashed into mountains on September 1.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash at around 4.57pm as rescue teams flocked to the crash site in search of survivors. An 11-year-old boy, 54-year-old man, and 53-year-old woman were found injured, while a 13-year-old girl was confirmed dead at the scene.

The victims were identified by community members as the Palmer family of Boise, Idaho. Cindy and Earl Palmer remain hospitalised in critical condition, and their son Aeron sustained minor injuries. Their daughter Amelia, the 2024 to 2025 Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen, did not survive.

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“The coordinated effort between all of the rescuers, EMS, medical teams, and aircraft personnel was exceptional,” Sheriff Levi Dominguez said in a press release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ and their family.”

A fundraiser has since been launched to support the Palmers with medical and funeral expenses.

The GoFundMe page reads: "The Palmers are facing a devasting tragedy. Around 5pm on Monday Cindy, Earl, Amelia, and Aeron were flying home from Wyoming when their plane went down.

"Cindy and Earl are both in critical condition and Aeron suffered minor injuries. Amelia did not survive the crash. The family is in desperate need of love, strength, and healing right now.

"Earl will need major reconstructive surgeries and Cindy is also in critical condition (extent of her injuries are unknown at this time). They will need help with medical bills, household bills, travel costs, and funeral costs. Please give what you can to help. Every donation helps."

Earl Palmer was flying the aircraft with his wife Cindy, with the wreckage discovered by a passing rescue helicopter, according to officials from the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office.

Loved ones have come forward to pay tribute to Amelia, an accomplished rodeo and pageant competitor who won the Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen 2024/2025 competition, and finished as the second runner-up to 2026 Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho.

One Facebook tribute said the teen was "pure sunshine and brought joy to everyone you met", adding: "Our rodeo family won't be the same without you, and our hearts are truly broken today. Please join us in lifting her family in prayer."

Another person said news of her death was "absolutely devastating", adding they had "loved watching her grow and develop into such an incredible young woman".

The post added: "Our hearts are very broken, and our prayers are with her friends, family, and loved ones." A third tribute said the teen was a "light like no other" whose "love for others and exuberance were unmatched".

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