Authorities in Manatee County say two people are dead after their twin-engine plane crashed Saturday.

Manatee County Public Safety Director Bob Smith told the Bradenton Herald the crash sparked a wildfire before emergency responders could reach the wreckage.

Sheriff's office spokesman Randy Warren says both victims' bodies were recovered from a wooded area of northeastern Manatee County. Authorities haven't released the victims' names.

Warren says the Hawker Beechcraft BE-60 was registered in California. The plane had departed from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport about a half-hour before a witness called 911 about the crash.

Duette resident David Hayman says he was in his back yard when he saw the plane nose-diving. He says the wreckage was engulfed in flames by the time he could reach it.

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