Kim Jae-yeol Expresses Deep Sorrow Over Tragic Accident
ISU and Skating Community Mourn Loss of Skaters, Families, and Coaches
Moment of Silence Held at European Championships in Memory of Victims
The International Skating Union (ISU) expressed condolences following a passenger plane and helicopter collision and crash near Washington DC, USA, which resulted in the deaths of figure skaters, their families, and coaches.
American figure skating star Nancy Kerrigan is seen with teary eyes during a press conference at the Boston Skating Club. It has been revealed that many figure skating athletes and coaches died in a passenger plane and helicopter collision and crash near Washington DC. Both Korean-American teenage figure skating prospects, who were members of the Boston Skating Club, were on board with their mother. AP=Yonhap News Photo by AP
On the 30th, the ISU stated, "The ISU and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident that occurred last night in Washington DC," adding, "It is heartbreaking to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, were on board." They continued, "We mourn with everyone affected by this tragedy," and "We are in close communication with the U.S. figure skating community and will provide full support to the bereaved families during this very difficult time."
ISU President Kim Jae-yeol also expressed his condolences, saying, "Today, the figure skating world is in mourning." President Kim said, "We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all those who lost their lives in this horrific accident," and "It is indescribably sad to lose so many members of the figure skating community."
At the ISU European Championships held in Tallinn, Estonia, participants and spectators observed a moment of silence to honor the figure skaters who perished in the accident.
In the wake of a passenger plane and helicopter collision and crash near Washington DC, which resulted in the deaths of multiple figure skating athletes and coaches, it has been revealed that all the Korean-American teenage figure skating prospects were members of the Boston Skating Club and were accompanied by their mothers. The Boston Skating Club is mourning the deceased. Photo by AFP, Yonhap News.
On the 29th (local time) at approximately 8:53 PM, a passenger plane operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk (Sikorsky H-60) helicopter conducting flight training while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the nearby Potomac River. At the time of the accident, the passenger plane carried 64 passengers and crew, and the helicopter had 3 military personnel on board, totaling 67 people. U.S. rescue authorities have determined that all on board perished.
According to multiple U.S. media outlets, about 20 figure skaters and coaches were on the passenger plane. CBS reported that they were returning after participating in a national training camp for promising skaters linked to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held from the 20th to the 26th in Wichita, Kansas, the departure city of the accident flight.
It has been confirmed that two Korean-American teenage figure skaters were also on board the passenger plane. According to the Korean government’s consular officer in charge of Korean-American affairs, who confirmed with figure skating clubs and the local Korean community, teenage female figure skater Jinna Han was on the crashed plane. Additionally, teenage male figure skater Spencer Lane, who was adopted from Korea to the U.S., was also on board. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of Han’s club, Boston Skating Club, told CBS that the mothers of both skaters were also on the flight.
Furthermore, the couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov from Russia, the 1994 World Figure Skating Champions and coaches of the skaters, were also reported to be on the same passenger plane.
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