US politician one of two dead in fireball plane crash

The state legislator died after the plane crashed into a park

The North Dakota state legislator died in the incident which emergency services responded to at 11:51am local time on Saturday in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

It was only until some time after the crash that the identity of the occupants were confirmed.

The plane was seen plummeting down before exploding into flames in a small park with the wreckage engulfed in fire.

Her death was confirmed in a statement from the North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party, an affiliate of the national Democratic Party.

The party said in a post on X: “We are completely heartbroken and gutted by the loss of Representative Liz Conmy. Her death is a profound loss for our state.”

Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe said that officers attended the scene just before midday and put out the fire, however, the occupants could not be saved.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that two people were aboard.

The type of aircraft involved is a Beech F33A and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, gave a statement afterwards saying: “Liz served her state and community with care and compassion, from her service in the Legislature and on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission to her work on education, habitat and immigration.

"Kjersti and I are saddened by this tragic loss and offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and fellow legislators. We ask North Dakotans to join us in keeping them in our prayers.”