Tragic Collision Near DC Claims Lives of Figure Skaters and Their Families

 

A terrible tragedy occurred last week when a commercial jet, coming from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., collided with a military helicopter in the skies near Reagan Washington National Airport. Among the passengers on the doomed flight were several top-ranking U.S. and Russian figure skaters, coaches and family members who had attended the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita just days before the crash.

The American governing body for the sport, U.S. Figure Skating, also confirmed the loss with a statement that expressed sorrow over the tragedy and sent condolences to the mourning families. "We are deeply saddened by this unthinkable tragedy and hold the victims' families very close to our hearts," said the organization. The Championships, held from January 21-26, congregated some of the country's top skaters, many of whom were aboard the ill-fated flight.

The Russian government also confirmed the tragic loss of their nationals, with Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressing the incident during a briefing. "We see, unfortunately, that this sad information is confirmed," Peskov said, noting that Russian figure skaters, along with other Russian nationals, were on the plane. The crash has sent shockwaves through the international figure skating community, with both American and Russian skaters mourning the loss of their colleagues and friends.

The collision, between the plane and a military helicopter, took place in one of the most crowded airspaces in the country. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the cause of the crash but so far nothing has been revealed.

After the incident, figure skaters came together to mourn the loss of lives of all the people involved in this tragedy. In response, the figure skating world reached an outpouring of tributes from the globe in general as fans and fellow athletes expressed their utter shock and sorrow.

As the investigation has only just really begun, and as families come to terms with their loss considered impossible to envisage, US Figure Skating vowed to help all those tragedy touched. "We stand with the victims' families during this incredibly difficult time, and we will continue to provide them with the necessary resources as they navigate their grief," said the organization in a news release.

It's a sad incident that reminds one of the fragility of life and the wide reach tragedy in sports is getting across the globe.