Inman Man dead in ultralight plane crash in Chesnee

CHESNEE, S.C. (AP) — An Inman man is dead after his motorized glider crashed in Chesnee.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told local media outlets that 50-year-old Kelly Lee Easler was pronounced dead at a hospital at around 8 p.m. Monday.

Clevenger says Easler was piloting a glider that crashed into trees and got stuck about 80 feet up in the air. The coroner says Easler tried to jump to a nearby limb and fell to the ground.

A passenger found stuck in a tree was rescued by firefighters and taken to a hospital.

Authorities are investigating the crash and say it does not appear that mechanical issues are to blame. Cherokee Springs Fire Department Lt. John Alley says the crash happened near a small airstrip.