Members of the determine skating group have spoken out after an American Airways flight tragically collided with an Military helicopter late Wednesday night time in Washington, D.C., leaving all 67 on board each plane presumably useless.
U.S. Determine Skating launched an announcement confirming that “a number of members of our skating group” have been aboard the flight. The group mentioned they have been returning house from a growth camp being held after the U.S. Determine Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, which concluded on Sunday.
“We’re devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and maintain the victims’ households intently in our hearts. We are going to proceed to watch the state of affairs and can launch extra data because it turns into obtainable.”
A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River close to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Picture)
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Wichita Mayor Lily Wu didn’t verify what number of members of U.S. Determine Skating have been on board Flight 5342 throughout a press convention on Thursday morning.
“It was really an honor to have future Olympians and people who are on the highest competitors degree of determine skating, proper right here in our capital,” she mentioned.
“We have been so excited to have the chance to host the nationwide championship, and even yesterday I had people inform me how fantastic these previous few days have been with extra people that got here into our group, whether or not to look at or to take part. So our group was actually excited and grateful that all the pieces went effectively with the championship. And so proper now we’re simply ready for extra data from U.S. Determine Skating that we will launch. However proper now we’re simply hoping and praying once more.”
A U.S. flag flies, as search and rescue groups work, within the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 30, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
First responders switched to restoration efforts within the Potomac River after it was believed that there have been no survivors. There have been 60 passengers and 4 crew members aboard the flight and three troopers aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
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“That is heartbreaking,” Workforce USA determine skater Josphine Lee wrote in a publish to her Instagram Tales. “My ideas and prayers exit to everybody on the flight, together with the skaters, coaches, and oldsters.”
U.S. determine skater Josephine Lee known as the lethal airplane collision in Washington, D.C., “heartbreaking” in a publish on social media. (William Purnell-Imagn Photos)
Workforce USA pair skater Luke Wang shared an analogous sentiment in a publish on X.
“Praying for all these on the flight from wichita to dc. Among the many passengers have been skaters and coaches. Completely heartbreaking.”
A number of different Workforce U.S. determine skaters additionally took to social media.
“Phrases can not fathom the concern and unhappiness I really feel from this occasion,” reigning pairs U.S. junior champion Hana Maria Aboian mentioned early Thursday morning. “It’s completely horrible and I pray for all of the athletes, coaches, and everybody onboard to be secure and wholesome.”
“I’m puzzled… I am unable to even clarify how devastated I really feel for the lack of superb those that have been on this flight. I am sending prayers to their households and the determine skating group,” Starr Andrews mentioned.
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U.S. determine skater Starr Andrews mourned the tragic loss in a publish on social media, including that she was “puzzled.” All 67 folks onboard the flight and helicopter are presumed useless. (Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The Worldwide Skating Union additionally launched an announcement.
“Our ideas are with everybody affected by this tragedy. Determine skating is greater than a sport—it’s a close-knit household—and we stand collectively. We stay in shut contact with U.S. Determine Skating and supply our full assist throughout this extremely tough time,” the assertion learn partly.
Two former Olympians, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, have been additionally believed to be among the many victims of the airplane crash, the Kremlin confirmed.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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