A devastating mid-air collision over Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening has claimed the lives of several members of the U.S. figure skating community, including two 16-year-old skaters, their mothers, and their Russian coaches.
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The Figure Skating Club of Boston confirmed the identities of the victims as:
Spencer Lane (16) and Jinna Hahn (16), both aspiring figure skaters
Christine Lane and Jin Hahn, their mothers
Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former world-champion skaters and coaches
The fatal crash occurred around 9:00 p.m. local time (02:00 GMT) when the American Airlines flight they were on collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter. The aircraft, carrying 64 passengers and crew, plunged into the freezing Potomac River.
Figure Skating Community Mourns Heavy Loss
As many as 15 individuals on board may have been affiliated with the U.S. figure skating scene, sources told Reuters.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Figure Skating Club of Boston, described the tragedy as “horrific,” adding:
“This will have long-reaching impacts for our skating community.”
The skaters and coaches had been returning home from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, following the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships held from January 20 to January 26.
Russian Nationals Among Victims
Russia’s government has confirmed that some of its citizens were on board, with reports identifying former Soviet skater Inna Volyanskaya among the deceased.
Shishkova and Naumov, who won the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship, later moved to the U.S. to coach young athletes.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation Underway
Search and rescue teams are combing the Potomac River for remains of both aircraft. Officials have now transitioned to a recovery mission, indicating no expected survivors.
The crash prompted a temporary grounding of flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Echoes of Past Tragedy
The incident draws painful parallels to the 1961 plane crash that killed all 18 members of the U.S. figure skating team en route to Prague, a loss that devastated the sport’s history.
As the skating world mourns yet another tragedy, tributes are pouring in for those lost in what is now one of the most heartbreaking disasters in recent memory.