GOVERNOR PRESUMED PLANE CRASH VICTIM

Gov. Mel Carnahan was missing late Monday and presumed to be the victim of a small-engine plane crash in Jefferson County south of St. Louis.

CNN reported that Carnahan, 66, was accompanied on the plane by Chris Sifford, Carnahan's director of communications, and one of his sons, who may have been flying the plane. Observers in the area reported seeing a fireball around 7:30 p.m.

Carnahan was due at a meeting of the Southeast Missouri Democratic Minority Coalition in New Madrid, Mo., but never arrived. Michael Green Sr., the group's chairperson, said Roy Temple, head of the Missouri Democratic Party, called to say that the governor wasn't going to make the evening event because of bad weather in St. Louis, and Temple had advised the governor to land there.

Green said someone called later to say a plane had crashed and three people went down. However, the governor's office wouldn't release any information about the crash late Monday night.

Green said he was stunned by the news. "Gov. Carnahan is so down to earth," he said. "He takes time with people. Some governors don't have time for people."

Carnahan was in Cape Girardeau last week talking to teachers about his plans for education spending. He is embroiled in a tight Senate race with U.S. Senator John Ashcroft.

Carnahan was born in Birch Tree, Mo. He served as state treasurer and lieutenant governor before being elected governor.