Pilot of crop duster that crashed near Weyburn, Sask. identified

Pilot and farmer Evan Hansen was seriously injured when his crop duster crashed near Beaubier, Sask. on July 8. (Source: Gofundme/Support Evan and Annika Hansen)

A farmer and pilot from southeastern Saskatchewan is battling in hospital after his crop duster crashed earlier this week.

According to police, on July 8 at around 10:40 a.m. a plane crash south of Beaubier, Sask. was reported to Weyburn RCMP.

Beaubier is located around 180 kilometres south of Regina.

The pilot and sole person inside the plane was airlifted to hospital by STARS with injuries described as serious, according to RCMP.

Volunteer firefighters from the Radville-Laurier Fire Department also responded.

In a post to social media, relatives of Evan Hansen said the pilot sustained burns on 80 per cent of his body. He is currently receiving care at the University of Alberta Hospital Burn Unit in Edmonton.

Hansen’s family declined an interview with CTV News, saying they are focused on Hansen’s recovery, but expressed appreciation for the support and outreach from the public so far.

A fundraiser launched for Hansen and his family had raised more than $87,000 as of Friday morning.

CTV News has reached out to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for more information.