Photos: LeeAnn Rimes, Kevin Nealon tweet from scene of fatal Aspen plane crash

Most celebrities tend to use Twitter for a variety of mostly promotional purposes. But yesterday, singer LeeAnn Rimes and comedian Kevin Nealon tweeted about a far more important topic -- a plane crash they'd witnessed in Aspen that killed one person (craft co-pilot Sergio Emilio Carranza Brabat) and injured two...

By Michael Roberts

January 6, 2014

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Most celebrities tend to use Twitter for a variety of mostly promotional purposes.

But yesterday, singer LeeAnn Rimes and comedian Kevin Nealon tweeted about a far more important topic -- a plane crash they'd witnessed in Aspen that killed one person (craft co-pilot Sergio Emilio Carranza Brabat) and injured two others.

Look below to see tweets, photos and a video featuring footage from the fiery scene.

USA Today reports that a Canadair CL600 took off from Toluca, Mexico and made a stop in Tucson, Arizona before continuing to Aspen, where it crashed at around 12:30 p.m.

Shortly thereafter, Rimes sent out this message....

So sad! Horrible plane crash we just saw happen at the Aspen airport.
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) January 5, 2014

...while Nealon weighed in with this tweet....

Horrible plane crash here at Aspen airport. Exploded into flames as it was landing. I think it was a private jet.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 5, 2014

...and this one....

Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles still at scene. No word on survivors or who was on jet but I can't imagine there are survivors.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 5, 2014

Fortunately, Nealon was wrong about survivors. Two individuals are said to have lived through the accident, while the co-pilot suffered fatal injuries.

Rimes and Nealon were far from the only people at the Aspen airport to see what happened. Here's one photo from Twitter user Gretchen Hawkesby....

A very sad sight! Aspen airport pic.twitter.com/MS8dOUTxpq
— Gretchen Hawkesby (@StarshipFriends) January 5, 2014

...and another:

@TimBurna yes look at this photo pic.twitter.com/hsLw8a7f9t
— Gretchen Hawkesby (@StarshipFriends) January 5, 2014

This shot comes courtesy of Patrick Cendes....

From aspen airport #breaking #crash pic.twitter.com/XNx4ObaUYa
— Patrick G. Cendes (@realPatCendes) January 5, 2014

...while this one was snapped by Nico Salvatore Enea:

Very sad. pic.twitter.com/sv6LcBtlBX
— Nico Salvatore Enea (@NicoSEnea) January 5, 2014

Like much of Colorado, Aspen was a snowy deep freeze yesterday. However, the cause of the tragedy remains under investigation. In the meantime, our condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Sergio Emilio Carranza Brabat.

Look below to see a 9News piece about the crash, as shared by USA Today.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

More from our News archive circa February 2010: "Reuben Bakker, Boulder plane crash survivors on the Today Show."

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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