Washington Plain Crashes: American Figure Skaters were on aircraft that crashed into the Potomac River
Members of the United States Figure Skating Community were on an airplane crashed near Washington DC, the country’s governing organization for sports.
A passenger aircraft carrying 64 passengers and crews crashed into a river in the capital after a middle -air collision with the US Army helicopter.
At the scene, a police officer told BBC broadcast partner CBS News that 19 bodies were pulled by water.
It is unknown if someone survived the accident.
US Figure Skating said that athletes, coaches and family members were in the aircraft that crashed.
The organization said, “These athletes, coaches and family members Wichita were returning home from the National Development Camp organized with the US Figure Skating Championship at Kansas.”
“We have been destroyed by this inexplicable tragedy and holds the families of the victims closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and release more information as they are available.”
The US Figure Skating Championship ended on 26 January, and several contestants remained in Wichita for a training camp.
The International Skating Union said: “We are heartbroken to know that with their families, friends and coaches, Figure Skaters, one of them on the board is understood.
“Our views are with all the people affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a game – this is a close -baby family – and we are standing together. We are with skating with us during this incredibly difficult time. Stay in close contact.
The Russian news agency Tass said that two of the American Airlines flights were former figures Skaters Wadim Naomov and Evenia Sheeshkova.
The couple, who got married in 1995 and living in Connecticut, won the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship.
Figure skater Inna Volicecaya of the legendary Soviet Union was also nominated by Tass as one of the passengers in the flight.
Dimitri Peskov, a spokesman from the Kremlin, confirmed the reports that the former Russian Figure Skaters were on the board, but did not specify the names.
John Donley, head of Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services, said that about 300 respondents in rubber boats have been deployed to search for the remaining people.
“The challenge has access, there are winds and ice fragments (in water). It is dangerous and hard to work,” he said.
A one minute silence was held on Thursday before the ISU Figure Skating Championship at Talin, Estonia as a mark of honor for those involved in the accident.
