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Figure Skaters from US and Russia Confirmed on Plane that Crashed in Washington

A tragic crash near Washington DC involved several members of the US Figure Skating community. The regional jet collided with a military helicopter.

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Figure Skaters from US and Russia Confirmed on Plane that Crashed in Washington

A catastrophic mid-air collision between a regional jet and a military Blackhawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., has claimed the lives of several members of the U.S. Figure Skaters community, officials reported.

The victims were returning from the National Development Camp, which was held alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. A tragedy near Washington DC shocked the US Figure Skating community when a regional jet crashed into a military helicopter.

Heartbreaking Loss for the Figure Skaters Community

According to a statement, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed the presence of athletes, coaches, and family members on the flight, which was headed from Wichita to Washington.”These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” the statement read.”We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”

Team US pair skater Luke Wang took to social media to express his sadness. He posted, “Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Heartbreaking.”

Rescue Operations Underway Amid Dangerous Conditions

Search-and-rescue operations are currently underway in the murky waters near Washington, D.C. Fire Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. reported that recovery efforts are being hindered by dangerous conditions.

“The challenge is access. The water that we’re operating in is about 8 feet deep, there is wind, there are pieces of ice out there, so it’s just dangerous and hard to work in,” Donnelly stated.

The Collision

In that crash, which involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter with three soldiers on board, the collision was near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. U.S. officials on Wednesday confirmed that the tragic incident had occurred, President Donald Trump commented, adding that the accident “should have been prevented.”

As investigations go on, there is a tendency to try piecing together events leading to and after the accident.