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The plane’s wreckage was finally discovered two days later near Brown’s Peak, an 11,700 foot mountain about 30 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming.
The accident site is located in mountainous, forested, snow-covered terrain.
Rescue teams contend with high winds, gusting snow and below freezing temperatures. Access to the wreckage itself is severely limited, and snowmobiles must to be used to transfer the bodies.
Upon hearing of the tragedy, the families called Rabbi Isaac Leider for help in arranging for the deceased to be released from the coroner’s office and for expediting the final transport to Israel for burial. Rabbi Leider contacted the coroner, Tom Furgeson, and explained the religious need for speedy and proper Jewish burial.
The coroner worked tirelessly with Rabbi Leider and miraculously, the bodies were released the same day. Rabbi Leider also succeeded in preventing invasive autopsies. Unfortunately, Rabbi Leider soon discovered that the only flight from Wyoming to New York (and continuing to Israel) that allowed deceased persons aboard would not depart for another two days. But Rabbi Leider was determined not to delay the burial.
His remarkable and untiring efforts soon paid off: a few donors, including the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, were greatly moved by the tragedy and, understanding the need for speedy burial, agreed to sponsor a private flight – at a cost of $16,000.
Once more, in the face of crisis, Rabbi Leider helped provide assistance and emotional security for the suffering families. His selfless work helped protect the honor of the deceased by ensuring them the fastest burial possible.
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