A small private plane crashed into the water near Gulf Shores, Alabama, over the weekend, killing the two people on board, authorities said.
The department's marine unit was immediately dispatched to where the Beechcraft Bonanza A36 aircraft was last detected on radar.
"Upon arrival, officers discovered a debris field from a small private aircraft in the waters," officials said. "First Responders recovered the bodies of two individuals who were on board at the time of the crash."
Local police, in conjunction with other agencies, including Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Daphne Search and Rescue, the Orange Beach Police Department, the Oyster Bay Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard, conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area. However, no additional passengers were located.
Daphne Search and Rescue Capt. Josh Gibbs told WLOX News that the search was temporarily halted Saturday evening due to bad weather.
Rescue crews resumed the search on Sunday and were able to pinpoint the plane on the bay floor using sonar.
"We mapped out the area of the wreckage on the bottom and located all the additional parts and pieces of the plane," Gibbs added.
The identities of the two recovered victims have not yet been released. NTD reached out to GSPD for additional information, but a response was not received by publication time.
The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the crash and is currently investigating the incident. GSPD said it will continue to assist the agency's investigation as needed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event," GSPD said. "We extend our deepest condolences during this difficult time."
Anyone who sees debris that may be related to the crash is asked to contact the police department directly at (251) 968-2431 and should not collect or disturb it for safety and investigative purposes, officials noted.