Former University Chancellor Sean O’Keefe and his son Kevin survived a plane crash that killed former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-AK, and four others near Dillingham, AK, on Monday night.
O’Keefe and Stevens were among nine passengers on a single-engine plane which Alaskan search and rescue officials say went down about 7 p.m. amid rough weather and poor visibility. When the plane was reported overdue, “good samaritan” private aircraft went searching for it; harsh weather prevented rescuers reaching the crash site until early Tuesday morning.
Rescue crews struggled against the weather conditions to reach the remote crash site, leading to several hours of uncertainty concerning the fate of the passengers. O’Keefe suffered a broken pelvis and other injuries, according to NBC News.
A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration said two survivors have serious injuries and another two have minor ones.
“On behalf of the LSU System, our thoughts and prayers go out to Former LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe, his son, Kevin, and the entire O’Keefe family as well as to the families of those killed,” LSU System President John Lombardi and Board of Supervisors Chairman Blake Chatelain said in a joint statement. “Everyone in the LSU System is thankful Sean and Kevin survived. The statewide LSU Community hopes for their quick and complete recovery from injuries sustained in this terrible mishap.”
O’Keefe currently serves as the CEO of the American arm of European defense giant EADS. He previously served as LSU Chancellor from 2005 to 2008 before resigning Jan. 16, 2008.
He was instrumental in initiating the Forever LSU fundraising campaign and the Flagship Agenda. Before that, he served as chief NASA administrator from December 2001 until February 2005.
“The LSU community is happy and relieved to learn that former Chancellor Sean O’Keefe and his son Kevin were found alive following their plane crash in Alaska,” current Chancellor Michael Martin said in a statement Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to everyone affected by this tragic event, and we send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those lost in the crash.”
Stevens, 86, was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the Senate. He was narrowly defeated in his 2008 re-election bid after conviction of making false statements on financial forms. He was later acquitted because of prosecutorial misconduct.
“A decorated World War II veteran, Senator Ted Stevens devoted his career to serving the people of Alaska and fighting for our men and women in uniform,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. “Michelle and I extend our condolences to the entire Stevens family and to the families of those who perished alongside Senator Stevens in this terrible accident.”
Reaction was muted on campus Tuesday — few students knew of the accident or of O’Keefe and his tenure at the University.
“I hope he’s okay. But no, I don’t know who he is,” said Graham Belou, biology junior.
Tyler Edwards, biology freshman, said he didn’t know who O’Keefe was either.
“It’s sad; I send my condolences,” Edwards said.
Michelle Vidrine, sports management graduate student, said Stevens would be missed.
“I’m from Alaska,” Vidrine said. “I’m pretty sure most of Alaska loved him.”
 
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