Kevin Lawrence, Paul Schalk Obituary, Death Cause – Two men who died in a plane crash near Lowell City Airport on Monday have been identified by authorities. The victims are 62-year-old Kevin Lawrence from Presque Isle and 68-year-old Paul Schalk from Rogers City. The tragic crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. on July 21 in Vergennes Township.
According to officials, the small aircraft departed from Alpena and was following a flight route through Kent County when it went down. The plane ultimately crashed into a building at Whistle Stop Self Storage, sparking a major fire upon impact.
Footage from a nearby business’s security camera captured the final moments of the aircraft before it crashed. The intense blaze that followed required assistance from 15 different fire departments to fully extinguish the flames, highlighting the severity of the incident.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identities of both victims and extended heartfelt condolences to their families. Investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash. The sheriff’s office is collaborating with both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as part of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly event.
As the inquiry continues, officials aim to uncover what led to the plane’s descent and eventual collision with the storage facility. The tragedy has left the local community in mourning and raised questions about what may have gone wrong during the flight.
No other injuries were reported, and authorities have not released further information about the aircraft model or any potential distress calls made before the crash. More details are expected as the FAA and NTSB continue their probe into the incident.
