PUEBLO, Colo. (CBS4/AP) — Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign canceled an event planned for Sunday in Pueblo because of the crash of a small aircraft at the Pueblo airport.

Romney campaign spokesman Rick Gorka says the crash at Pueblo Memorial Airport is under investigation and the campaign did not want to interfere with the investigation or any emergency response efforts. The event was scheduled to be held at an aircraft museum near the airport.

“We have not yet gotten word whether or not this event will be rescheduled,” Ellie Wallace with the Romney campaign said. “What’s important to us is just making sure people were planning on coming out this morning.”

Colorado is among a handful of battleground states being heavily courted by Romney and President Barack Obama. Republicans don’t particularly do well in the Pueblo area.

Media reports in the state said that an experimental plane crashed at the airport Sunday morning, killing one person and closing two runways. The victim has been identified as 68-year-old George McHenry, Jr.

“George was a great guy,” friend Max Howells said. “He had hand-built his plane, it was a real cool airplane. It was a little fast job, a great little plane, he flew it all the time.”

George McHenry’s plane that crashed (credit: mtnguy.com)

“Our thoughts in prayers are obviously with those who were affected,” Wallace said. “That comes first, the safety of those affected in this morning’s incident.”

Roland Mar drove all the way from Canon City to see Romney speak.

(credit: CBS)

“I am disappointed; I wish it would take place. I want to get loud and show support,” Mar said.

The Obama campaign also has canceled an event with the United Steelworkers Local Union in Pueblo due to the crash.

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