BUTTE – A church service was held in Butte Thursday night in memory of 14 people killed in a plane crash Sunday afternoon.
The gathering at St. John’s Episcopal Church was also held to show appreciation for the first responders and rescue workers who worked at the scene of the crash.
The Rev. Elton Smith told the 50 people gathered that the purpose of the service was not to answer the question “why,” but to provide comfort for the grieving and to remind people that God understands their pain.
Ministers from several Butte churches participated in the service. At the end, people were invited to speak with the ministers personally to help cope with their grief.
The plane, carrying three young families from California to a Montana ski vacation, crashed into Holy Cross Cemetery. Those killed included seven children ages 9 and under.