The artistic skaters in the United States and Russia were aboard the flight of American Airlines, which crashed on Wednesday night on the Potomac River in Washington, D. C. , after colliding with a army helicopter.
The American artistic skating, the organization that is the National Sports Government body, showed that the passengers of the plane included several of its members, which had attended a prestigious camp for rookie and intermediate skaters in Wichita, Kansas, where the flight.
“These athletes, coaches and members of the circle of relatives were returning home of the National Progression Camp held together with the US Artistic Skating Championship. UU. In Wichita, Kansas,” said the figurative skating of the United States in a release. “We are devastated through this tragedy and an indescribable tragedy and keep the families of the sick near our hearts. We will continue to monitor the stage and publish more data as it is available. “
During a press convention on Thursday, the mayor of Wichita, Lily Wu, said that “it was an honor” for her city to welcome the artistic skating championship for the first time.
“We were very excited to have the opportunity to welcome the national championship,” Wu told reporters. “Even yesterday, other people have told me how glorious those last few days have been with other people who have come to our network to watch or participate. “
Wichita officials are waiting for more information on the crash, including details from U.S. Figure Skating, Wu said. Alex Schauffler, a representative for U.S. Figure Skating, told CBS News the organization could not share additional details early Wednesday.
None of the American skaters, their coaches or family members have been officially identified, but the Skating Club of Boston said two young skaters, their mothers and two coaches were among the passengers, CBS News Boston reported. In a statement, Doug Zeghibe, the skating club’s CEO and executive director, identified club members on the plane as Jinna Han, Jin Han, Spencer Lane, Christine Lane, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
Shishkova and Naumov are artistic skaters born in Russia and former world champions that led Boston Skating Club, said the club. They were on the plane with other Russian citizens, they reported that the country’s public news agency, Tass, mentioned an unnamed official and a government official.
“The bad news came here from Washington today. We regret and explicit our condolences to the families and friends who have lost [those who enjoy] and the Russian citizens among those who were killed in the tragedy of aviation,” said the spokesman of the Russian presidential elections Dmitry Peskov a loss of press, according to Tass.
American Eagle Flight No. 5342, a passenger plane operated through PSA Airlines and owned by American, collided in the air with a Black Hawk helicopter near its touchdown site planned at the Reagan National Airport, which allowed to hit the river Potomac below. The plane with 60 passengers and 4 team members, and 3 infantry singles were in the helicopter, authorities said. Based in very Belvoir in Virginia, the helicopter on an educational flight when he reached the plane.
At least 28 bodies had been discovered in the river from 8 a. m. ET on Thursday, D. C. Fire and EMS, said John Donnelly, to journalists. Donnelly added: “We do not believe there is any survivor. “
An investigation into the collision is underway. A source of application of the law familiar with the investigation told CBS News that it was aimed at “why the helicopter flew there and at the altitude at that time. “