Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City Manager Marc Ott, Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr and Police Chief Art Acevedo have just held a press conference regarding the plane crash in North Austin. Here’s what has been confirmed so far:
A light aircraft crashed into the Echelon Building at the junction of U.S. 183 and Highway 360 in North Austin. The building caught fire, which is now under control. Two victims were transported to Breckenridge Hospital and one has since been transported to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio. One employee of the building is currently unaccounted for, and there is no word on the identity of the pilot.
However, Acevedo was obviously frustrated at the local press for repeating unsubstantiated rumors. He did, however, say that he was sure that there was no reason to be concerned about further incidents
One of the rumors that has spread fast is the identity of the pilot (reported as Joe Stack): That he set fire to his house before the flight: And that he left an online suicide note which contained an anti-IRS agenda (the Echelon Building is located near both the IRS and the local FBI field office.) It may seem inappropriate to repeat these rumors here if they are unconfirmed, but considering how hazy reporting can be in the early ages of such events, and how often initial reports get retracted (cf balloon boy, the Fort Hood Shootings) on balance it is worth noting their existence.
This article appears in February 12 • 2010.
