A Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in the mountains near Drake on Saturday, killing two people and seriously injuring a third, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were alerted to the downed plane in the area of Storm Mountain about 11:12 a.m., the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. Lt. Col. Mark Young of the Civil Air Patrol confirmed Saturday afternoon that one of the agency’s planes had crashed. As of 3:53 p.m., the sheriff’s office reported two deaths in connection with the crash and said the Cessna 182 plane had been carrying three people at the time. The injured passenger was taken to a hospital. A statement from Gov. Jared Polis’ office identified the deceased as pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, while the surviving co-pilot was identified as Randall Settergren. The plane was a part of the Civil Air Patrol’s Thompson Valley Composite Squadron and was conducting a training mission, the statement said. Polis said described the three as “volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all.” He said the state was “grateful for their commitment to service, and it will not be forgotten.” Colorado’s adjutant general, Laura Clellan, also said the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs was “devastated” to learn of the crash. “The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state,” she said in the statement. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved in the crash.” Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, national commander of the Civil Air Patrol, also expressed support for the victims’ families in a statement. “Our members serve because they care about America’s communities,” she said. “Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security.” In addition to deputies, Larimer County Emergency Services, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS, UCHealth LifeLine, Larimer County Parks and the National Guard all aided in the response. The sheriff’s office said it is investigating the crash with the help of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the Air Force; its Colorado wing is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs and participates in search-and-rescue missions and training exercises across the state. Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | 81-year-old Vietnam veteran killed in Weld County plane crash Crashes and Disasters | 2 injured in plane crash on Douglas County golf course Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.