PLANE CRASH IN OKLAHOMA TAKES THE LIVES OF THREE HIGHLAND USA EXECUTIVES:

ACCORDING TO THE TULSA WORLD: A small plane crashed in Mohawk Park on Saturday night, killing all three men aboard. Two Oklahoma men, Chase Bales and Damian Riddoch, and a Swedish man, Mats Malmberg, died. They range in age from late 30s to early 50s, friends and other news agencies reported.

Bales was the pilot and owner of the plane. The men were all partners in US Highland, a Mounds, Oklahoma-based motorcycle designing and manufacturing company that relocated to Oklahoma from Sweden two years ago.

Malmberg was founder and president of the company. Bales was chief operating officer and co-owner.

They were coming from a business meeting in Pontiac, Michigan, and were originally scheduled to land at Jones Riverside Airport. The pilot requested to land at Tulsa International Airport instead, but did not say why, police said.

The pilot said over the radio that the aircraft was low on fuel just before it crashed into a heavily wooded area of the park at about 10 p.m. Saturday, police said.

Dirt Bike’s Pete Murray on the prototype Highland.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Authority and National Transportation and Safety Board were expected to arrive and inspect the crash scene Sunday morning, Tulsa Cpt. Shawn King said.

A friend of the men, Brian Belton of Palos Verdes, Calif., said they were good people with large, caring families. “They were nice people – very nice,” he said. “I enjoyed working with them and I’ll miss them.”

Highland 450 four-stroke.

US Highland, Inc., a U.S. based designer and manufacturer of high performance, premium quality Motocross, Supermoto, Quad and Enduro motorcycles, announced that on Saturday night, three members of its executive management team perished in a fatal plane crash.

The members included 41-year old President Mats Malmberg, 51-year old Chief Operating Officer Chase Bales and 37-year old Chief Financial Officer Damian Riddoch. The three were returning from a business tripp to Detroit, when they had asked to make an emergency landing at Tulsa International Airport, but went down instead in a wooded area of a city park northwest of the airport, killing all three aboard.

“This is a human tragedy beyond imagination. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. No words can describe the loss the families are experiencing. It was an honor to work with these three men and I know they would want us to continue to build US Highland into a leading U.S. powersports company. They were all true visionaries and will be deeply missed,” commented Dr. Steven A. Moell, Chief Executive Officer of US Highland, Inc. 

Bengt Andersson, Chairman of US Highland added: “I know everyone including myself at US Highland will sincerely miss Mats, Chase and Damian. I always had a strong respect for their work ethic and strong level of integrity. My deepest condolences go out to their families.”

Mr. Malmberg is survived by his wife and three children, Mr. Bales is survived by his wife and two children and Mr. Riddoch is survived by his wife and four children.

About US Highland, Inc.

US Highland, Inc., is a U.S. based designer and manufacturer of high performance, premium quality Motocross, Supermoto, Quad and Enduro motorcycles. The Company is also a leading development and engineering partner for leading OEM’s around the world. For additional information concerning US Highland Inc., visit www.ushighland.com.

INTERVIEWS WITH MATS MALMBERG AND CHARLES BALES