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Fourteen figure skaters are among the victims of the first major commercial plane crash in the United States since 2009, officials said.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, confirmed that six victims—two coaches, two teenage athletes, and two mothers—were from the Boston club.
“Our sport and this club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe said. “Skating is a tight-knit community. Everyone is like family. We are devastated.”
The figure skaters and coaches were returning from the U.S. national championships in Wichita, Kansas, when their American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening. No survivors were expected, officials said.
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu became emotional as she offered condolences, saying, “Our hearts are heavy as a city.”
Natalya Gudin, wife of coach Alexandr Kirsanov, said she has “lost everything.”
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed several members were on the flight. “These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp,” the organization said.
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