Household and buddies of those that misplaced their lives within the lethal American Airways and Military helicopter collision are sharing tributes on-line as they look ahead to extra solutions about how this tragedy occurred.Â
The midair crash occurred round 9 p.m. Wednesday, when an Military helicopter and an American Airways aircraft collided close to Reagan Nationwide Airport outdoors of Washington, D.C. All 67 individuals onboard each plane are presumed useless.
Tim Lilley recognized his son, 28-year-old Sam Lilley, as first officer on American Airways flight 5342.
“I used to be so proud when Sam turned a pilot. Now it hurts so dangerous I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I do know I’ll see him once more, however my coronary heart is breaking,” Tim Lilley wrote in a Fb publish. “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC final night time. He was doing nice in his profession and his private life. He was engaged to get married within the fall.”
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File picture of Ian Epstein who was a flight attendant aboard the PSA American Airways aircraft that crashed in Washington DC, Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (Epstein Household)
“It’s so devastating to lose somebody that’s beloved a lot,” he added.
Scott Hubbard Jr., a pal and former colleague of Sam Lilley, wrote on Fb: “I had the respect to assist welcome him to one among his first flying jobs at SkyLens because the outgoing chief pilot attributable to beginning my profession on the airline. He was an outstanding pilot. I by no means obtained to fly with him on the airways as I modified corporations however I used to be so proud to know him and take into account him pal. My coronary heart is heavy for his household and fiancé.”
“You left an eternal influence on us all and we’re grateful for you,” he added. “Blue Skies brother. And my condolences are with all the opposite crew members, the passengers, and navy service members within the helicopter. This can be a unhappy day.”
A flight attendant on board the flight has been recognized as Ian Epstein.
“It’s with a really heavy coronary heart and excessive disappointment that myself together with our kids Hannah Epstein and Joanna Epstein and his sister Robbie Epstein Bloom and her husband Steven Bloom and nieces Andi and Dani inform you that Ian Epstein was one of many flight attendants on American Airways Flight 5342 that collided final night time after they have been touchdown in DC,” Debi Epstein, Ian’s spouse, wrote in a Fb publish. “Please pray for Ian and our household as we journey to DC. We’ll replace when plans are made.”
Fox Information Digital was advised that Epstein, who grew up in Montreal, Quebec, had additionally lately turn into a flight attendant a number of years in the past, and beloved touring and his job.Â
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File picture of Ian Epstein who was a flight attendant aboard the PSA American Airways aircraft that crashed in Washington DC, Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (Epstein Household)
American Airways has not but confirmed the identities of Lilley or Epstein.
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D.C. hearth and EMS chief John A. Donnelly mentioned throughout a information convention Thursday that he’s assured the entire our bodies from the crash will probably be recovered.
“I’m assured that we’ll do this,” he advised reporters. “It’s going to take us slightly little bit of time. It could contain some extra tools.”
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File picture of Ian Epstein who was a flight attendant aboard the PSA American Airways aircraft that crashed in Washington DC, Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (Epstein Household)
Loudoun County Public Faculties in Virginia introduced that a number of victims have been former college students within the college system.
“Our hearts are heavy as we course of the devastating information of final night time’s tragic aircraft crash over the Potomac River involving an American Airways flight and an Military helicopter. This unimaginable loss has deeply affected our neighborhood, and with nice sorrow, we now have discovered that a number of victims have been former LCPS college students,” the varsity district mentioned in a launch Thursday. “Many different Loudoun households have additionally been impacted, and we lengthen our deepest condolences to all these grieving within the wake of this tragedy.”
Doug Zeghibe, the CEO of the Skating Membership of Boston, mentioned Thursday that six of its members died within the collision final night time.
Zeghibe mentioned 14 skaters have been returning house from a nationwide growth camp in Wichita, Kansas and 6 of them have been members of his group.
World champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia execute a throw throughout the pairs brief competitors on the World Determine Skating competitors in Edmonton, Alberta, March 19, 1996. (Dave Buston/The Canadian Press through AP, File)
“Our sport and this membership have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe mentioned. “Skating is a tight-knit neighborhood the place dad and mom and youngsters come collectively six or seven days per week to coach and work collectively. Everyone seems to be like household. We’re devastated and utterly perplexed.”
“Six is a horrific quantity for us, however we’re lucky and grateful it wasn’t greater than six,” Zeghibe mentioned. “This may have long-reaching impacts for our skating neighborhood.
Two of the members have been coaches who have been former world pair champions and two have been youngsters. Moms of the athletes died as nicely, he added.
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The Kremlin mentioned Thusday that Russian determine skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who competed in a number of Olympic Video games and medaled in a number of world championships, have been amongst these aboard the American Airways flight.
This can be a growing story.
Fox Information’ Greg Norman and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.Â
Stepheny Worth is author for Fox Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. Story ideas and concepts may be despatched to stepheny.value@fox.com
