Apollo 8 astronaut behind famous ‘Earthrise’ photo dies in small plane crash

Rescue crews were alerted to reports of a plane crash in Washington state between Orcas and Jones Island, the US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest confirmed.

The USCG Pacific Northwest said in a statement on X: “USCG units along with San Juan County Sheriffs are responding to reports of a plane crash between Orcas and Jones Island.

“Air Station Port Angeles and Station Port Angeles are on-scene conducting search and rescue efforts. Updates to follow”

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to Fox News Digital that the crashed aircraft was a vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor.

They added that the only person on board was the pilot.

Air Station Bellingham and Station Port Angeles are also on-scene and helping with search and rescue, according to reports.

The family of the retired Major General released a statement following the incident and confirming Anders had been involved.

“The family is devastated,” Greg Anders told the AP.

“He was a great pilot, and we will miss him terribly.”

William Anders was one of the first three people to have travelled to the moon and is credited as the photographer of the famous ‘Earthrise’ photo.

According to Nasa, Anders took the photo while in lunar orbit on December 24, 1968.

His crew of the Apollo 8 mission was made more famous after delivering an address to the world the very same day.

Broadcast on Christmas Eve, the crew, including Anders, read verses from the first chapter of Genesis and wished viewers: “Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you – all of you on the good Earth.”

Anders was also honoured in having one of the Moon’s many craters named after him - ‘The Anders Crater’ - according to the Anders Foundation website.