Missouri Paramedic Killed in Plane Crash

A firefighter-paramedic from the West Peculiar Fire Department in Cass County (Mo.) was one of two persons killed in a Saturday afternoon plane crash in southern Missouri.

Jennifer Collins, 32, also was on the staff of Freefall Express Skydiving based at the Mount Vernon, Mo., Airport where the crash occurred late Saturday afternoon.

According to the company’s website, Collins was a senior rigger and the veteran of more than 200 skydives.

Federal aviation officials were expected to arrive at the site today to investigate the crash.

Chief Doug Short of the West Peculiar Fire Department said today he was not releasing information about Collins’ employment with the department until speaking with her family.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com

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