Girl, 6, Rescues Sister From Plane Wreckage

A 6 1/2-year-old California girl pulled her injured sister from the wreckage of a small plane where their parents lay dead, and then succeeded in summoning help, rescue officials said Saturday.

Tammy Crites and her 11-year-old sister, Korrina, from Loma Linda, were listed in stable condition at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, a hospital supervisor told reporters.

The girls’ parents, Darrell Crites, 44, and his wife, Gloria, 36, were killed Thursday afternoon when their Cessna 172 crashed near Sunshine Village ski resort in the national park.

Korrina suffered a fractured skull, broken arm, facial injuries and hypothermia, park wardens said. Hospital officials refused to say what injuries Tammy suffered, but they were believed to be minor.

“When the plane crashed, her father’s body was lying on top of Korrina,” said Banff National Park warden Scott Ward. “Apparently, Tammy pulled her sister out from under her father, got her up onto the creek bank and then headed off for help. Isn’t that something for a 6 1/2-year-old girl?”

He said Tammy set off into a small canyon with walls 20 to 30 feet high, and cried out for help.

Three women hiking on a nearby trail heard the cries but couldn’t find the little girl. They telephoned park wardens who located the girls in the secluded canyon 5 miles from Banff.

Ward was dropped into the canyon by helicopter to rescue the sisters. He said Tammy told him, “My mom and dad are dead but my sister’s OK. . . . our plane crashed in the creek and my sister didn’t want to come with me.”

The wardens said the 11-year-old might not have survived the night.

“It makes you believe miracles come in small packages,” said Banff National Park warden Tim Auger.