3 dead after small plane crashes into Nebraska river

Three people were killed when a small plane traveling south of Fremont, Nebraska, crashed into a river Friday night, authorities said.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office said that around 8:15 p.m. local time "a small plane was traveling along the Platte River south of Fremont when it crashed into the river."

"The three occupants of the plane have been recovered and are confirmed deceased," authorities continued.

The victims were identified Saturday as 43 year- old Daniel Williams of Moundridge, Kansas, and 50 year-old Jeff Bittinger, and 48 year-old Randy Amrein, both of Fremont, Nebraska.

"The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office offers our deepest condolences to the family of the victims and the Dodge County Community," the sheriff's office.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the plane was a Cessna 180 and that an investigator from the agency would arrive at the scene Saturday afternoon.

The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office asked the community to avoid the area until further notice so that they may continue with their investigation.