1 dead in small plane crash near home of NFL player Dion Dawkins
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — One person died in a small plane crash Thursday morning close to the house of Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins, police said.
The plane crashed in the area of 100 Stewart Court just before 11:30 a.m. in a residential area of the town of Aurora.
"Tragedies happen all of the time. The biggest point about it is I hope that the pilot's family is O.K.," Dawkins said. "I hope that they're doing alright, because somebody lost their life today for an accident, a mechanical thing, something. And I'm glad that my family is perfectly fine."
"For the family of that pilot, my prayers are out," he added.
The flight originated in Lansing, Mich. and was heading to White Plains, north of New York City. There were no injuries on the ground.
Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including State Police and the Erie County Sheriff's Office. The male pilot who was killed had not been identified as of Thursday evening.
Police said the plane had mechanical issues and that the pilot had declared an emergency shortly before the crash and was diverting to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The crash is under investigation.