Purdue: 1 student critical, 1 serious after crash

AMERICUS, Ind. — Two Purdue University students are hospitalized — one in critical condition — after the World War II-era small plane they were flying in crashed in a wooded area northeast of Lafayette.

Purdue spokeswoman Jeanne Norberg says 22-year-old Anthony Cole is in critical condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She says 22-year-old Thomas Williams is in serious condition at St. Elizabeth East Hospital in Lafayette.

Authorities say the crash occurred Tuesday afternoon near the town of Americus. It wasn't immediately clear who was piloting the craft. The Journal & Courier of Lafayette quotes the plane's owner, Elwain Dreyer of Cardington, Ohio, as saying he had loaned the 1942 Taylorcraft plane, to Cole, who is an experienced pilot.

Police said federal investigators were en route to the crash scene.