CASSVILLE, WI - Two University of Dubuque students are hospitalized after their small plane crashed and burst into flames in southwest Wisconsin. A spokeswoman for University Hospital in Madison says the two remained in critical condition on Thursday.

The school says the students are juniors Cory Alsip of Glendale Heights, Illinois, and Grant Vogt of Dubuque. They were flying a small aircraft that went down shortly before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Village of Cassville, Wisconsin. A letter fron the University of Dubuque's president says that Grant's injuries are reported to be more extensive than Cory's.

Authorities say the plane burst into flames when it struck a tree and several buildings. The fire spread to two cabins at the Eagle's Roost Resort.

The plane crashed into two cabins at the Eagle Roost Resort, which is located at the edge of airport. Map.

A witness rushed to help the men. The witness told TV9 he saw the pilot run across the road, on fire. He tried to help put the fire out. The witness said the passenger was also on fire and collapsed when he escaped the plane.

Wednesday evening University of Dubuque's president released a statement saying the UD community is embracing the two students.

UD's president also said that Student Life staff is available for counseling and support. There will be also be a University-wide prayer service on Thursay at noon in Blades Chapel.

Full Statement from UD's president, Jeffrey F. Bullock:
Chaplain to Students, Jim Gunn, was at University Hospitals last evening in Madison with Cory and Grant's families as they awaited news in the hospital's burn unit. As a result of the fire that resulted from yesterday's crash landing, both students suffered burns of sufficient severity that they were airlifted to Madison. Grant's injuries are reported to be more extensive than Cory's.

I am pleased to report that both men are in excellent care and are beginning Day Two of recovery.

While it is not possible to say with certainty what exactly happened, it appears from eye witness accounts that one of the University's Trinidad aircraft may have experienced a catastrophic incident as the aircraft was making a landing approach at the Cassville airport. The aviators were able to bring the aircraft down on a road, the plane continued across a parking lot, and ended passing between two cabins. A fire erupted, and the men were able to exit the aircraft before it was totally engulfed in flames.

Prompt response by Cassville emergency services and police resulted in rapid transport to Grant Regional Hospital in Lancaster and on to UW-Madison Hospitals.

Student Life staff stands ready to assist any student with counseling and support in their offices in Peters Commons.

The campus community is invited to a University-wide prayer service today at 12 noon in Blades Chapel.

I'd like to thank you for your continuing prayers for Cory and Grant, their families, and their friends.

Photos submitted to KCRG-TV9 by Robert Wildman, Cassville, WI.