The figures of the United States and Russia were aboard the American Airlines flight that crashed on Wednesday night at the Potomac River in Washington, D. C. , after colliding with an army helicopter.
The American Figure Skating organization that is the national director of game play, showed that the plane’s passengers included several of its members, who had attended a prestigious camp for novice and intermediate skaters in Wichita, Kansas, where the flight has taken off.
“These athletes, coaches and family circle members returned home from the national progression camp organized in collaboration with the American Craft Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” American Skating said in a statement. “We are devastated through this unspeakable tragedy and we hold the families of the victims in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the scenario and release more data as it becomes available. “
At a news conference Thursday, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said “it was truly an honor” for her city to host the figure skating championships 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 trainers or circle of relatives are officially known, however, the Boston skating club said that two young skaters, their mothers and two coaches were among the passengers, CBS News Boston reported. In a press release, Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of the skating club, well -known club members on the plane such as Jinna Han, Jin Han, Spencer Lane, Christine Lane, Vadim Naumov and Shishkova Evgenia.
Shishkova and Naumov are Russian-born figure skaters and former world champions who coached at the Skating Club of Boston, the club said. They were on the plane along with other Russian citizens, the country’s state-run news agency TASS reported, citing an unnamed source and government official.
“The bad news came here from Washington today. We regret and explain our condolences to the families and friends who lost [their enjoyed] and the Russian citizens among those killed in the tragedy of aviation,” said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a Press conference, 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 at 8 a. m. On Thursday, the leader of D. C. Fire and EMS, John Donlly, told reporters. Donelly added: “We do not believe there are survivors. “
An investigation into the collision is underway. A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CBS News that it was directed to “why the helicopter was flying there and at altitude at the time. “