On Wednesday evening, a plane carrying several figure skaters, including distinguished Russian former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, tragically collided with a helicopter in the skies above Washington DC. The Figure Skating Club of Boston confirmed that the flight included six affiliates from their community, who were returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, following the US National Figure Skating Championships.
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Figure Skating Community Members
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Figure Skating Community Members
A devastating mid-air collision above Washington DC has left the figure skating world mourning the loss of prominent athletes and coaches.
The club's CEO, Doug Zeghibe, revealed that the passengers included young skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Hahn, along with their mothers. US Figure Skating has expressed deep sorrow after confirming "several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342." As of Thursday, the U.S. authorities reported that there were no expected survivors, with at least 28 fatalities confirmed.
The tragic incident took place just after 9 PM local time when the aircraft, which had 64 people on board, collided mid-air with a US Army helicopter before plunging into the Potomac River. The figure skating community has been profoundly impacted, as confirmed by Zeghibe's remarks on the "horrific number" of losses.
Inna Volyanskaya, another former Soviet star skater, has also been reported to be among the victims of this horrific incident. Rescue teams have transitioned their effort to recovery operations, combing the icy waters for remains. The pain strikes a familiar chord, reminiscent of the 1961 plane crash that killed the US figure skating team en route to competition.
As investigations and recovery efforts proceed, the entire sport stands in somber solidarity with the families affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
The tragic incident took place just after 9 PM local time when the aircraft, which had 64 people on board, collided mid-air with a US Army helicopter before plunging into the Potomac River. The figure skating community has been profoundly impacted, as confirmed by Zeghibe's remarks on the "horrific number" of losses.
Inna Volyanskaya, another former Soviet star skater, has also been reported to be among the victims of this horrific incident. Rescue teams have transitioned their effort to recovery operations, combing the icy waters for remains. The pain strikes a familiar chord, reminiscent of the 1961 plane crash that killed the US figure skating team en route to competition.
As investigations and recovery efforts proceed, the entire sport stands in somber solidarity with the families affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
