Family with Ties to North Platte, Sutherland Killed in Tennessee Helicopter Crash

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Officials say a sightseeing helicopter crashed near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee, killing all five people aboard.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said in an email that the Bell 206 helicopter crashed Monday around 3:30 p.m. near Sevierville. Officials said the tourist helicopter was destroyed by fire after the crash.

Pigeon Forge Police Chief Jack Baldwin says the helicopter appeared to have come down the side of a mountain and crashed at the foot of it.

The crash site is less than a mile from a large outlet mall in Sevierville and adjacent to a neighborhood off the main tourist drag. The site is about three miles from Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Post has confirmed, through family members, that three of the individuals killed were 22-year-old Peyton Rasmussen, 18-year-old Parker Rasmussen and their mother, Johna Morvant, all formerly of North Platte. Morvant is originally from Sutherland. This is a developing story. The FAA has said the investigation into the crash could take up to a year. Peyton and Parker are the children of former Cedar Bowl owner Scott Rasmussen.